WikiLeaks cables: Fidel Castro almost died in 2006

[sabra]

Source: Guardian UK

Cuban leader 'capriciously' refused surgery after suffering perforated intestine, the US embassy cables reveal

Fidel Castro almost died in 2006, according to a confidential US diplomatic cable released by the whistleblower site, WikiLeaks.

The cable contains a detailed description of the Cuban leader's medical condition from the moment he fell ill with a perforated intestine during a flight.

The memo, sent in March 2007 by the then head of the US interests section in Havana, Michael Parmly, quotes a report by an unnamed doctor, who said the plane landed urgently when Castro started bleeding.

The 84-year-old was diagnosed with diverticulitis – or swelling of the colon – and the doctor said Castro needed surgery. But according to the report, Castro "capriciously" refused to have a colostomy, with the result that his condition deteriorated over time and he required further surgery. The cable says Castro sacked the head of his medical team after a Spanish doctor was brought in who told Castro he should have had a colostomy as recommended by his medical team in the first place.

The cable goes on to note Castro's renewed lease of life since then. Parmly ended his cable: "We are missing too many variables to be able to predict accurately how many more months Fidel Castro will live. Frankly, we don't believe anyone, including Castro himself, can state that with certainty. However, while he is still alive, even in a reduced capacity, his presence has a chilling and retardant effect on Cuban society.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/16/wikileaks-fidel-castro

[Mz Pip]

1. Another

"Duh" I don't think this comes as any huge surprise to anyone.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. HIS ???? " presence has a chilling and retardant effect on Cuban society."?

I thought we were contributing pretty well to a negative effect via the embargo.

[dipsydoodle]

7. ditto

.

[tomm2thumbs]

3. Perez Hilton guaranteed he was dead

oops, I guess that wasn't a money back guarantee

[onehandle]

4. Stop the presses. nt

[Botany]

5. Thank God he lived ... the marching Fidels need him to live on

[EFerrari]

6. That's so awesome.

:rofl:

[David__77]

8. Western intelligence has no idea about such things.

This is total nonsense.