Castro hospitalized, turns over power

[phxkev]

Nothing a Montecristo Edmundo can't fix....

MSNBC.com

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Castro undergoes surgery, relinquishes power

Government: Cuban leader delegates powers provisionally to brother Raul

BREAKING NEWS

MSNBC News Services

Updated: 6:51 p.m. MT July 31, 2006

HAVANA - Cuban President Fidel Castro underwent intestinal surgery Monday and delegated government functions provisionally to his younger brother Raul Castro, the government said in a televised statement signed by the Cuban leader.

In the letter read by his secretary Carlos Valenciaga, Castro said he had suffered gastrointestinal bleeding, apparently due to stress from recent public appearances in Argentina and Cuba, and had to undergo an operation.

Castro, who turns 80 on Aug. 13 and has led Cuba since a 1959 revolution, delegated his posts as first secretary of the ruling Communist Party, commander in chief of the armed forces and president of the executive council of state to his brother, the defense minister.

[El Presidente]

5 years ago he would have had surgery and told no-one.

One get's the feeling Raul has been calling the shots since January this year.

[Ben]

How old is Raul Castro?

[phxkev]

» How old is Raul Castro?

Aged 75 years...... but he has been well stored in a proper humidity and temperature controlled environment.

[FPdoc]

Meanwhile, Miami erupts in celebration.

[link]http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/31/D8J7CQNO0.htmll[/link]

[Ben]

» Aged 75 years...... but he has been well stored in a proper humidity and

» temperature controlled environment.

I'd designate that a Vintage.

[skid11]

» » How old is Raul Castro?

»

» Aged 75 years...... but he has been well stored in a proper humidity and

» temperature controlled environment.

Too good LOL

[skindiver]

» » » How old is Raul Castro?

» »

» » Aged 75 years...... but he has been well stored in a proper humidity

» and

» » temperature controlled environment.

»

» Too good LOL

Actually it is rumored that Raul has been preserved by his proclivity for fermented spirits.Nonetheless,he is 3 years younger than his older brother,Fidel,who,in accordance with the mystique that surrounds him,is either 79 or 80 on August 13.For publication and celebration,it's80,but other records show he is but a youngster of 79.Poor,poor Miami!

Several years ago, the President of Ecuador offered Fidel a birthday present of a Galapagos turtle.These animals have been known to live longer than some 200 years. Fidel declined the gift,saying,"I'd have to feed it all of its life,then bury it!" The Miami nightmare! LOL

[korryp]

Once Raul takes power is when the fun starts to see who will be his successor.

[bassman]

» Once Raul takes power is when the fun starts to see who will be his

» successor.

Exactly! Fidel still has some popularity in Cuba. Raul never did.

[Taino]

I honestly think nothing is going to happen in the short term in Cuba...

[PorscheC4S]

» » How old is Raul Castro?

»

» Aged 75 years...... but he has been well stored in a proper humidity and

» temperature controlled environment.

Ted Kennedy has enjoyed similar longevity with the aid of various types of scotch. I believe the medical term for his state of preservation is PICKLED!

[Jimmy2]

Rob set the trip up to Havana because i think we will be going next year..:-D

[El Presidente]

» I honestly think nothing is going to happen in the short term in Cuba...

Agreed. Communication is well controlled. Without the support of the armed forces and both overt and covert police institutions (which are daunting) ....nothing will change regardless of the people's perceptions of Raul.