Local & State News - Tampa Bay's 10 - tampabays10.com: "Fidel Castro steps down temporarily due to illness
HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro is stepping aside temporarily due to illness.
A statement read on state television by his secretary says the Cuban leader is temporarily handing over power to his brother. Raul Castro already serves as defense minister.
The letter said that Castro had suffered gastrointestinal bleeding, apparently due to stress from recent public appearances in Argentina and Cuba, and had to undergo an operation.
The letter also said that the August 13th celebrations for Castro's 80th birthday have been postponed. They've been rescheduled until December second, the 50th anniversary of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces.
Raul Castro turned 75 in June. He's been taking on a more public profile in recent weeks.
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