This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7192308.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Castro 'unfit to speak publicly' Castro 'unfit to speak publicly'
(about 2 hours later)
The Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, has admitted he does not have the physical strength to speak publicly as part of campaigning for upcoming elections.The Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, has admitted he does not have the physical strength to speak publicly as part of campaigning for upcoming elections.
In an essay in state media, the man once famed for marathon public speeches said: "I do what I can: I write." In an essay for state media, the man once famed for marathon public speeches said: "I do what I can: I write."
The admission comes just a day after the visiting Brazilian president called Mr Castro's health "impeccable". Video footage released later showed Mr Castro looking thin but lucid receiving Brazil's president on Tuesday.
The 81-year-old Cuban leader has not been seen in public for more than 17 months since stomach surgery.The 81-year-old Cuban leader has not been seen in public for more than 17 months since stomach surgery.
In July 2006, he "temporarily" handed power over to his brother, Raul, but must be re-elected to the national parliament in Sunday's national poll if he is to remain president of the Council of State.In July 2006, he "temporarily" handed power over to his brother, Raul, but must be re-elected to the national parliament in Sunday's national poll if he is to remain president of the Council of State.
The 614 deputies chosen in the January elections will select the 31 members of the Council of State, whose president is head of state.The 614 deputies chosen in the January elections will select the 31 members of the Council of State, whose president is head of state.
'New experience' Mixed messages
Now Mr Castro says he will not be able to campaign in the neighbourhood which has put him forward as their representative. The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, startled some observers when he told reporters on his way home from Cuba that Mr Castro was in "impeccable health" and ready to resume his political role in Cuba.
"I am not physically in a condition to speak directly to the citizens of the municipality where I was nominated for our elections next Sunday," Mr Castro said in the lead story of state newspaper, Granma. In the video footage aired on state media on Wednesday, Mr Castro appears wearing his now-trademark tracksuit.
In the footage - the first seen since mid-October - he looks gaunt but alert, telling President Lula: "I have felt quite well."
But in an essay printed in the state newspaper Granma on Wednesday, Mr Castro says his health prevents him from going out to campaign in the neighbourhood which has put him forward as its representative in upcoming elections.
"I am not physically in a condition to speak directly to the citizens of the municipality where I was nominated for our elections next Sunday," Mr Castro says.
"I do what I can: I write. For me, this is a new experience: writing is not the same as speaking. Today, when I have more time to inform myself and to meditate about what I see, I have barely enough time to write.""I do what I can: I write. For me, this is a new experience: writing is not the same as speaking. Today, when I have more time to inform myself and to meditate about what I see, I have barely enough time to write."
Mr Castro spent only a few sentences discussing his state of health, using most of the rest of the article to criticise the US President George W Bush. Mr Castro spends only a few sentences discussing his state of health, using most of the rest of the article to criticise the US President George W Bush.
He also condemned capitalism as a "tree with rotten roots, from whence only the worst forms of individualism, corruption and inequality sprout". He condemns capitalism as a "tree with rotten roots, from whence only the worst forms of individualism, corruption and inequality sprout".
His admission of bad health contrasts with what the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told reporters as he left Cuba on Tuesday, saying he was in "impeccable health" and ready to resume his political role in Cuba.