The announcement that Castro had been operated on to repair a "sharp intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding" stunned Cubans on the island and in exile, and marked the first time that Castro, who celebrates his 80th birthday Aug. 13, had relinquished power in 47 years of absolute rule.

The news came July 31 in a statement read live on state television by his secretary, Carlos Valenciaga. Castro did not appear on the broadcast.

Defense Minister Raul Castro, who turned 75 in June and has assumed a public profile in recent weeks, did not appear on television.

Castro took control of Cuba in 1959, resisted repeated U.S. attempts to oust him and survived communism's demise elsewhere.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 5, 2006
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