Cubans Ask What's Next as Castro Makes a Comeback

HAVANA, March 29, 2007 — -- The three middle-aged Cuban women don't quite believe it, though all the signs leave little doubt. Fidel Castro, the iconic figure who has ruled their country since they were born, has miraculously survived a grave illness and will once again appear in public and play a role in their lives.

But what role will Fidel play, the three women wondered the other evening as they chatted over coffee and pastries at the Pan de Paris French bakery in Havana. Despite Castro's expected return, they doubt that either he or their country will ever be exactly the same.

For weeks now Cuban officials, relatives and friends have signaled that Castro has gotten over the worst of whatever ailed him after he underwent abdominal surgery in late July. And Thursday, state media carried a long and scathing editorial by Castro attacking the Bush administration's plans to turn corn into fuel instead of bread -- his first such comments in more than eight months.

Castro's older brother Ramon said this week that Fidel had recovered and is "free" from the sick bed and clinic that was his home for months.

Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez said earlier this month that he had taken a long walk outdoors with Castro and pronounced him "the same old Fidel."

Even the United States has stopped saying Castro has cancer and only a short time to live, affirming that the man who has defied 10 presidents still dominates decision making on the communist-run Caribbean island.

"Fidel Castro remains a … controlling political presence," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon said last week.

Anaida, Pia and Maria said they were astounded that their seemingly invincible leader had proved to be, well invincible. The women, two from central Cuba and one from Havana, joked about how Fidel's enemies will be disappointed and how their leader has to be some sort of witch doctor.

The women said they wished Castro no harm; on the contrary, they viewed him almost as family and were glad the "old man," now going on 81, is alive. Anaida and Maria, both nurses, were curious to know what Castro suffered from and how he was after eight months of convalescing in a secret location from an ailment also kept secret.