Castro Turns 80

Fidel Castro is shown in a photo released by Granma, the official publication of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. Granma did not release the date the photo was taken. In a statement Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, Castro, who turned 80 on Aug. 13, said that he has lost more than 41 pounds since he had intestinal surgery but said the "most critical moment" is now behind him.

In this photo released by Cuba's Juventud Rebelde newspaper, Cuban Leader Fidel Castro speaks with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Havana,Cuba, Friday, Sept.1, 2006. Castro, looking notably better than he did when last seen almost three weeks ago, happily greeted Chavez during a brief visit aired on state television.

Photograph published Sunday Aug. 13, 2006, by Cuba's Communist Youth newspaper's online edition, Juventud Rebelde, purporting to show the first photographs of Fidel Castro since he fell ill two weeks ago. Castro holds a copy of the Saturday Aug. 12, 2006 edition of Granma, the Communist Party newspaper. The headline reads "Absolved by history." The AP cannot verify the authenticity or the date when photograph was shot.

In this photo released by Cuba's Communist daily newspaper Granma, Cuba's leader Fidel Castro, right, is seen along with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Havana, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006. Chavez's visit came the same day that Castro issued a statement to the Cuban people, warning them that he faces a long and difficult recovery after his surgery.

A man reads Cuba's Communist daily newspaper Granma, showing pictures of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, in Havana, Monday, Aug. 14, 2006. The paper published new photographs of ailing leader Fidel Castro on Monday, showing him in bed during a birthday visit with his brother Raul and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

In this image released by Miraflores Press, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, greets interim Cuban President Raul Castro, younger brother of Fidel Castro, upon his arrival at the Havana, Cuba airport on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006. Chavez was in Cuba to celebrate Fidel Castro's birthday.

People ride on a bicycle past a billboard of Fidel Castro that reads "We're Doing Well" in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Aug 13, 2006. On his 80th birthday, Castro cautioned Cubans he faced a long recovery from surgery and advised them to prepare for "adverse news," but urged them to stay optimistic, while a newspaper published the first photographs of the Cuban leader since his illness.

Children sing to celebrate the 80th birthday of Cuban leader Fidel Castro at the Belen neighborhood in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006. On his 80th birthday, Castro cautioned Cubans he faced a long recovery from surgery and advised them to prepare for "adverse news," but urged them to stay optimistic.

A man holds up a photograph of revolutionary hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Cuban leader Fidel Castro during a concert in honor of Castro in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug.12, 2006. An ailing Castro turned 80 on Sunday amid official reports he is walking and talking again.

A young girl holds a sign that reads "Long Live Fidel" during a concert in honor of Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Aug.12, 2006. An ailing Castro turned 80 on Sunday amid official reports he is walking and talking again.

People sing and wave flags as they attend a concert in honor of Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Havana,Cuba, Saturday, Aug.12, 2006. An ailing Castro turned 80 on Sunday amid official reports he is walking and talking again, but Castro cautioned Cubans he faced a long recovery from surgery and advised them to prepare for "adverse news," but urged them to stay optimistic.