Hours after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro was in ”impeccable” health, Castro told local media he was not fit for public speaking.
Lula raised eyebrows and quick questions about Castro’s political future, saying after a long discussion on Tuesday: ”I think Fidel is ready to take on his political role in Cuba and his historical role before the world,” adding that the 81-year-old ”has incredible lucidity and impeccable health”.
Castro underwent gastrointestinal surgery in late July 2006, and handed over power ”temporarily” to his brother, Raul Castro (76). He has not been seen in public since, but has appeared on television and publishes commentaries in official dailies.
With National Assembly elections set for Sunday and Fidel Castro’s precise official political role unclear, Cubans are keen for word on his health and plans.
But Fidel Castro, appearing not to share precisely the same assessment as Lula, said in official media on Wednesday: ”I do not enjoy the physical capacity I would need to speak in person to the residents of the town where they nominated me [for the National Assembly] for next Sunday’s elections. I do what I can: I write,” Castro added.
”Now that I have more time than ever to get informed and think about what I see, I am hard-pressed for enough time to write,” Castro added in his note dated January 14.