Chavez says Fidel Castro doing 'very, very good'

February 27, 2009

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says the 82-year-old Fidel Castro seemed "very, very good" when they met in Cuba last week.

Chavez remarked on the former Cuban president's health for the first time since they met and said Castro was "like never before."

Castro has not been seen in public since mid-2006 when he underwent intestinal surgery and ceded power to his younger brother Raul.

Venezuela's socialist leader said he met with Fidel Castro twice, once for three hours and a day later for more than four hours.

According to a government statement, Chavez also said in a phone call carried on state television early Friday that the two discussed subjects including the financial crisis and the new government in Washington.