Article: Ailing Castro cedes duties: Brother temporarily takes over as Cuban leader has surgery.

Byline: Gary Marx

Aug. 1--HAVANA -- Cuban President Fidel Castro underwent complicated intestinal surgery for internal bleeding and relinquished power for the first time in 47 years, placing his younger brother, Raul, in charge of the island nation, according to a statement read Monday night on Cuban television. Castro, 79, the longest-running world ruler, will have to take weeks off from his responsibilities after the surgery, the statement said. His brother, 75, also will assume full control of the armed forces and the Communist Party. Castro is to turn 80 on Aug. 13. News of his surgery led to street celebrations by Castro opponents in Miami and raised ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!