MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fidel had his first stroll through Havana, says Chavez

Fidel Castro talks with Pte. Hugo Chavez

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, though still convalescing from the illness that sidelined him in July 2006, recently “went for a walk on the streets of Havana” said Venezuelan President Hugo Ch?vez over the weekend.

Castro "surprised all of us" with his stroll through the capital, where people "wept on seeing him," the Venezuelan president said during a speech in Caracas. Populist Chavez, who often refers to Fidel Castro as "brother," said the retired head of state planned his outing in such a way as to ensure there would be no photographic or video record of the walk. The Venezuelan leader said Castro told him about the walk in one of the four letters he sent his friend and ally in Caracas. Hailing the news as a "miracle," Chavez said, addressing Fidel: "From here we send you an embrace and we ask God that you continue to fully recover". It was a year ago at the end of February that Fidel Castro, now 82, formally handed over power to younger brother Ra?l. Throughout Fidel's illness, Chavez has taken upon himself the role of keeping the world informed about the health of Castro, who has not appeared in public - officially, at least - since shortly before he got sick. The most recent images of Fidel Castro date from his meeting during February with visiting Argentine and Chilean Presidents Cristina Kirchner and Michelle Bachelet.