CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Fidel in Conversation with Venezuelan Journalist Mario Silva.

HAVANA, September 8. - On September 6 Fidel had a lengthy conversation with Venezuelan journalist Mario Silva, director of Venezolana de Televisión’s "La Hojilla" program.

Silva stated that he had come to Cuba to refute the lies of the Venezuelan opposition and the Miami ultra-right, who had been circulating rumors to the effect that the Cuban leader had died.

"To those people who are currently enjoying themselves believing that Comandante Fidel suffered a brain hemorrhage, I regret to inform them that he is alive and kicking," affirmed Silva, who presented a number of photos of Fidel and himself together to announce the interview, broadcast at midnight yesterday on his popular television program. (CUBAMINREX/GRANMA INTERNATIONAL/CUBADEBATE)