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Cuba's Castro Reported in Very Serious Condition
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=15CD78E:A6F02AD83191E1608925BF3D091F42A79574F7DCC14957C0 Spanish newspaper
El Pais reports Castro has serious infection worsened to peritonitis



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src="/english/images/Granma_Fidel_Castro_210.jpg" width=163 vspace=2
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Image of Fidel Castro posted on Granma web site Tuesday, Sept. 5,
2006Cuban leader Fidel Castro is reported to be in very serious
condition after a series of three failed operations and complications
from an intestinal infection.

The Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on its Web site Monday that Mr.
Castro suffers from a serious infection that has worsened to
peritonitis.

The condition is a painful and potentially fatal inflammation of the
lining of the abdominal cavity often caused by infection in an organ.

Spanish surgeon Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, who examined Mr. Castro last
month, told reporters the Cuban leader was in good physical and
intellectual shape, and wanted to return to work.

But El Pais cited sources at the surgeon's hospital - Gregorio Maranon
- as saying the infections have left Mr. Castro with a very grave
prognosis.

The 80-year-old Cuban leader underwent an operation at the end of
July, and has not been seen in public since.

The newspaper report has not been confirmed. The Cuban government says
Mr. Castro's health is a state secret.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.


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