http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6916923.stm

still alive?

tbh, i'm starting to think he popped it a while ago and this is all an act to stop a succession crisis. Think about it: Fidel passes power to Raul "temporarily" while he's ill, but the illness is prolonged and Raul gets lots of time to settle into his job and show that he's capable of running the country. Then, sometime after his position is considered secure, Fidel finally 'succumbs' to his illness..