HAVANA (AP) - Cuban leader Fidel Castro, looking notably better than he did when last seen almost three weeks ago, happily greeted Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a brief visit aired on state television Friday. "Brother!" the 80-year-old Castro said from his sickbed, his face lighting up as Chavez entered the room Friday where he was recuperating and gave him a warm embrace."Gentleman of the heroic resistance!" the Venezuelan president responded with a smile to his good friend and ally.
"What joy!" Castro said after sitting up on his bed. "A million thanks!"
Chavez has now visited Castro three times since the Cuban leader announced on July 31 that he had undergone intestinal surgery and was provisionally ceding power to his brother, Raul Castro, the defense minister. The specifics of Castro's ailment and the nature of his surgery have been treated as a state secret.
Dressed in red pajamas, Castro appeared much more animated and alert on the video than in those made when Chavez made his first post-surgery visit to the Cuban leader on Aug. 13, his 80th birthday.