MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fidel Castro 'recovering satisfactorily'

Cuba launched a campaign Friday emphasizing the revolutionary roots of Fidel Castro's brother and designated successor, attempting to reassure Cubans that the country remains stable after the leader's hospitalization.

The government said it would defend itself against any U.S. attempts to take advantage of Castro's health crisis after U.S. President George W. Bush urged Cubans to push for democratic change.

Cuban Health Minister Jose Ramon Balaguer said during a trip to Guatemala that Castro was doing well.

The leader "underwent a surgery from which he is recovering satisfactorily," Balaguer told Radio Sonora. "We have received messages of support from the most far-flung places in the world." He did not elaborate on the president's condition.

Neither Castro has appeared in public since the announcement Monday night that Fidel was temporarily ceding power to his younger brother Raul. Officials sought to assure Cubans that the communist government retained its hold on power.

"We Cubans are prepared for the defence . . . and Raul is there firmly at the helm of the nation, of the Revolutionary Armed Forces," the Communist party newspaper said.

Granma on Friday recounted Raul Castro's decision to assume responsibility for the disastrous 1953 attack on a military barracks that launched the Cuban Revolution after he believed his brother had been killed.

When he discovered Fidel had survived, Raul Castro returned to his role as soldier, according to the article, adding: "This is a story that cannot be ignored in the face of today's events."

State news media continued to line up Cubans expressing confidence both in Fidel Castro's ability to recover quickly and in Raul Castro's competence to govern in the interim.

"Every Cuban trusts Raul, and every one of our leaders," an unidentified woman said on state television news. "We are certain that the revolution will continue."