Cuban Newspaper Photo Shows Heavier-Looking Fidel Castro
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
HAVANA — Cuba published a photo yesterday of a standing, smiling Fidel Castro looking heavier but still gaunt as he met with Angola’s president, the first head of state to see the ailing 81-year-old since June.
The picture, which appeared on the front page of a Communist Party youth newspaper, Juventud Rebelde, shows Mr. Castro in a track suit, athletic pants, and tennis shoes. The Cuban leader appears to have gained weight and wears a warm half-smile as he shakes hands with President Dos Santos of Angola, who was in Cuba since Thursday on an official visit. The image was released two days after Mr. Castro gave a surprise hour-long interview on state television, during which he answered rumors about his death that have swirled recently in America by saying simply, “Well, here I am.” Yesterday’s photo was the first time Castro has been seen standing in months. He stayed seated during the interview, which aired Friday evening just hours after officials said it was taped.
A login link has been sent to
Enter your email to read this article.
Get 2 free articles when you subscribe.
