Cuba's ailing leader Fidel Castro has met with his Venezuelan ally Hugo Chavez amid speculation that he may break a long absence from public appearances by taking part in a broadcast today.
The 81-year-old leader held a mammoth meeting yesterday, according to state television reports, although no pictures from the meeting were broadcast.
The latest visit from President Chavez raised speculation that Mr Castro may be about to speak out in person, possibly taking part by telephone in a program to be aired today.
Mr Chavez is to broadcast his weekly radio program Alo, Presidente from the Cuban city of Santa Clara, the last burial place of the iconic revolutionary hero Che Guevara, who died 40 years ago this week.
Mr Castro has stayed out of sight since undergoing intestinal surgery for an unspecified illness in July 2006, but has communicated through regular articles in the communist regime's official newspapers.
This is President Chavez's seventh visit to Cuba since Mr Castro's health crisis.
