Fidel Castro may finally die.
Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro is in “very grave” condition after three failed operations and complications from an intestinal infection, a Spanish newspaper said Tuesday.
The newspaper El Pais cited two unnamed sources from the Gregorio Maranon hospital in the Spanish capital of Madrid. The facility employs surgeon Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, who flew to Cuba in December to treat the 80-year-old Castro.
In a report published on its Web site, El Pais said: “A grave infection in the large intestine, at least three failed operations and various complications have left the Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, laid up with a very grave prognosis.”
Cuba has released little information on Castro’s condition since he temporarily ceded power in July to his brother, Defense Minister Raul Castro, until he could recover from emergency intestinal surgery, prompting much speculation and rumor in the country and around the world.
El Pais‘ report, which could not immediately be confirmed, was a rare detailed description from a major media outlet about Castro’s condition.
Given that Raul his been governing Cuba for months, Fidel’s death may not change all that much in the near term. Still, his passing would be welcome news.
There is some irony that he has held on so long. The United States has been trying to oust him since 1959 and he has outlasted nine presidential administrations and is well through his tenth. Six of those presidents have preceded him in death.
