CARACAS, Venezuela - Cuban President Fidel Castro called in to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's radio talk show Tuesday, declaring he's "more energetic, stronger" and his country is running smoothly without him at the helm.
"I feel good and I'm happy," Castro said in a phone call to Chavez's weekday radio program. "I can't promise that I'll go over there soon but, yes, I'm gaining ground."
The 80-year-old Castro transferred control of Cuba's government to his brother Raul after intestinal surgery in July and dropped out of public view, fuelling speculation about his condition.
He thanked Chavez for spreading news about his recuperation and complained his supporters have "the habit, the vice of getting news daily."
"But I ask for patience, calm...the country is marching along, which is what is important," Castro said in a soft but steady voice.
"And I ask for tranquility also for me so that I can fulfil my new tasks," he said.
In Havana, Cuban state television's nightly Roundtable program reported briefly on the telephone exchange and bits of the conversation were broadcast.
During the half-year since Castro announced he had surgery, the country has been governed by his brother Raul and a team of top leaders that includes Vice-President and Cabinet Secretary Carlos Lage.
"You don't know how happy we are to hear your voice and know that you're well," Chavez said with obvious surprise in his voice at the unexpected call.
The two leaders, who are close friends and allies, spoke for almost 30 minutes.
Cuba's government has kept Castro's condition and exact ailment secret and Chavez acknowledged he has become an "emissary" for news of his health.
On Jan. 30, Havana's government released a new video of Castro looking stronger than in previous images as he met with Chavez, which quelled growing speculation he was gravely ill.
Chavez ended his conversation with his mentor telling him: "We will win time and win the battle for life."
"Fatherland or death. We will prevail!," the two leaders repeated after each other.
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