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Fidel Castro back on TV laughing off wild speculation

Convalescing Cuban leader Fidel Castro has appeared on state television, looking frail but alert and laughing off speculation he was on his death bed after a long absence from public view.

"Well, here I am ... nobody knows when they will die," Castro, 81, said during an interview on Friday.

The absence of pictures of the veteran revolutionary leader since June 5 had fueled a flood of rumors of his death.

"He is dying, he is dead, he will die the day after tomorrow," Castro said, summing up the wild speculation over his condition.

Castro underwent intestinal surgery on July 27 last year and has not been seen in public since. Just after the operation he "provisionally" handed power to his brother Raul, Cuba's longtime No. 2, though Cuban authorities insist the veteran leader is still involved in major issues.

Wearing a track suit in the red, white and blue colors of Cuba, Fidel Castro spoke in a soft, slow voice as he discussed the US economy, global oil prices and the rambling essays he has been writing over the past months.

He mentioned Friday's dollar-to-euro exchange rate, confirming that the hour-long interview had been taped earlier in the day, as officials said.

Castro sat in an armchair in the hospital-like room where he has been convalescing since undergoing surgery.

Holed up at an undisclosed location, Castro has become a prolific writer, discussing a wide variety of topics in lengthy articles published by state-run media. His latest musings on the Cold War came up during Friday's interview with Randy Alonso, who runs state television's daily Round Table program.

The one issue he barely addressed was that of his health.

Castro's top ally, friend and frequent visitor, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, said on Friday the Cuban leader had undergone several blood transfusions but could "live 100 more years."

"What little problem does he have? One operation, two operations, three operations. At 81, you can imagine he almost died," he said during a visit to Brazil. "They changed nearly all his blood. Fidel is alive because he is Fidel."
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