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Venezuela`s Chavez Again Visits Cuban Dictator

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he has once again visited Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, and said he saw the authoritarian president recovering well from his recent operation. Chavez, who counts Castro as a left-wing anti-American ally, says the dictator can now write and give orders. Chavez, Castro, Bolivia`s Evo Morales and Mexican presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico are all leftists with either combative relations with the U.S., or suspected anti-U.S. feelings.

"Fidel is recovering well. His rapid recovery surprised me. He already sits up, writes, has a telephone and gives orders and instructions," Chavez said. Chavez recently ended a four-country international tour last Thursday, and made his third visit to Cuba in as many weeks. The combative Venezuelan leader last visited his counterpart in the Cuban capital of Havana on August 13 to mark a birthday celebration for Castro.

Fidel Castro was rushed to a hospital at the end of July, ostensibly to undergo intestinal surgery, and for the first time in his rule since 1959 he temporarily handed his singular powers - held by strongarm tactics - to his younger brother Raul, also Cuba`s defense chief in normal times. The exact state of Castro`s health has been treated as a state secret by Havan, leading to intense speculation over his condition and the future of Cuba.