| He's improving. Rats. Follow-up on Steve Y's story yesterday. |
Castro appeared tired and pale, yet alert in the videotaped encounter, speaking quietly but clearly enjoying himself as he chatted with Chavez, his close friend and political ally. Acting president Raul Castro was also present for the encounter on his brother's 80th birthday.
As the men bantered back and forth, Castro's voice was inaudible. He was later shown in animated conversation with Chavez, but music played over his words.
The videotape showed the friends sharing a snack and looking at an album of photographs showing them together - including one from a trip Castro took to Venezuela during an earlier birthday. Sentimental music accompanied the footage, which lasted about 10 minutes.
The televised footage - released after still pictures of the same encounter were published in the Communist Party daily Granma earlier Monday - appeared aimed at dispelling any lingering doubts about Castro's recovery from intestinal surgery. Cuban officials have not released details of his condition or disclosed where he is being treated.
