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A video shows Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) visiting his Cuban counterpart Fidel Castro in Havana September 1, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>> |
HAVANA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in a statement published Tuesday that the most critical moment in his health crisis was over and he is "recovering at a satisfactory pace."
"One can say that the most critical moment is behind us," he said in the handwritten statement published by the website of government newspaper Granma. "Today I'm recovering at a satisfactory pace. I'll be receiving distinguished visitors over the next few days."
Castro, 80, announced on July 31 that he was temporarily ceding his power to Defense Minister and younger bother Raul Castro after undergoing intestinal surgery.
In Tuesday's statement accompanied by dozens of snapshots, Castro also revealed he had lost 18.5 kg over the past days after surgery and that doctors had removed the last stitches from his intestinal operation.
Cubans had last seen images of Castro last Friday, when video pictures showed him chatting in his sickbed with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Aug. 13.
The statement came just two days after Chavez said Sunday that Castro was recovering quickly and able to write and give orders.
"Fidel is recovering well. His rapid recovery surprised me," Chavez said during his weekly Sunday broadcast in Caracas. "He already sits up, writes, has a telephone and gives orders and instructions."
The Venezuelan president wrapped up a tour of four countries last Thursday by making his third visit to Cuba in three weeks. Earlier, Chavez visited Castro in Havana to mark his birthday on Aug. 13. Enditem
