Changes

==Death and purported sightings==

==Death and purported sightings==

In August 2006, health problems led to the appointment of his younger brother, Raul, as temporarily president and head of the Communist Party in Cuba. Political analysts believe that the appointment marks the beginning of a transition designed to maintain Communist control over Cuba after Castro's death.<ref>The Washington Post, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/01/AR2006080100647.html For Castro, a First Step In Calculated Transition]</ref> Castro's surgery was scheduled to repair a "sharp intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding."<ref name="pbs.org"/>

In August 2006, health problems led to the appointment of his younger brother, Raul, as temporarily president and head of the Communist Party in Cuba. Political analysts believe that the appointment marks the beginning of a transition designed to maintain Communist control over Cuba after Castro's death.<ref>The Washington Post, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/01/AR2006080100647.html For Castro, a First Step In Calculated Transition]</ref> Castro's surgery was scheduled to repair a "sharp intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding."<ref name="pbs.org"/>

Bonded by their hate for the United States and capitalism, Castro and [[Venezuela]]n dictator [[Hugo Chavez]] created a close relationship. Both socialist countries have worked together on various political ventures.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,166355,00.html</ref>   

Bonded by their hate for the United States and capitalism, Castro and [[Venezuela]]n dictator [[Hugo Chavez]] created a close relationship. Both socialist countries have worked together on various political ventures.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,166355,00.html</ref>   

On February 18, 2006, Communist Cuba publicly recognized that Fidel Castro was no longer President of the State Council and Commander in Chief.<ref>http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2008/02/19/nacional/artic10.html</ref> He was succeeded by his brother, [[Raul Castro]].

On February 18, 2006, Communist Cuba publicly recognized that Fidel Castro was no longer President of the State Council and Commander in Chief.<ref>http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2008/02/19/nacional/artic10.html</ref> He was succeeded by his brother, [[Raul Castro]].

In September 2011, it was claimed that a Venezuelan reporter had interviewed Castro,<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/cubas-fidel-castro-breaks-long-silence-in-interview-with-venezuelan-television/2011/09/08/gIQA08FSCK_story.html]</ref> but independent media have not confirmed that this was not actually a doppelganger standing in for the long-deceased Castro.

In September 2011, it was claimed that a Venezuelan reporter had interviewed Castro,<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/cubas-fidel-castro-breaks-long-silence-in-interview-with-venezuelan-television/2011/09/08/gIQA08FSCK_story.html]</ref> but independent media have not confirmed that this was not actually a doppelganger standing in for the long-deceased Castro.

In February 2012 the mainstream media claimed that Castro met with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.  Predictably there have been no reports from the liberal media as to whether this was actually Castro or a lookalike.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/01/us-cuba-brazil-idUSTRE8100B620120201 Brazil's Rousseff meets with Fidel Castro in Cuba]</ref>  

In February 2012 the mainstream media claimed that Castro met with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.  Predictably there have been no reports from the liberal media as to whether this was actually Castro or a lookalike.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/01/us-cuba-brazil-idUSTRE8100B620120201 Brazil's Rousseff meets with Fidel Castro in Cuba]</ref>