Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro Gravely Ill

The Florida Keys

Fidel Castro Gravely Ill

Two undisclosed sources working in a Madrid hospital where Spainish surgeon Jose Luis Garcia Sobrido practises told a newspaper reporter for El Pais, Fidel Castro is gravely ill. Doctor Sobrido flew to Cuba in December of 2006. Per Madrid's El Pais sources, Dr. Sobrido performed a third surgery on the aging dictator. Cuban diplomats in Madrid deny the claims.

Per the report, at least three surgeries have been performed on Castro. Castro had suffered a bowel leak in July requiring the removal of a portion of his lower bowel. The original surgery was unsuccessful. A new leak of fecal matter in Castro's abdominal cavity started a new infection requiring more of his colon to be removed.

In this latest surgery a South Korean made bowel prosthesis was installed to reconnect Castro's colon to his rectum. No mention was made of the success of the third surgery. The threat to Cuba's president for life is the infection associated with the bowel leakage. Given Fidel Castro's advanced age of 80 years, prospects of his recovery are estimated at 20 percent. Even should Castro survive, an extensive recuperation period will be required which may effectively end Castro's 47-year Cuban presidency.

Any mention of Castro's health spawns rumors in South Florida's Cuban community. With Cuban official releasing very little information, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the El Pais story. Since Fidel Castro's brother Raul is still interim president of Cuba following Castro's initial surgery in July, confidence is high in the local Cuban community that the report is true.

The local Cuban population does not feel that Raul Castro is capable of maintaining control of Cuban should Fidel die. The island of Cuba is facing a dramatic political change if that proves to be the case.