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Castro Appears to Faint Giving Speech in Cuba
Fidel Castro apparently fainted before a crowd of thousands during a televised speech Saturday.
Aides helped Castro off the stage after his apparent fainting spell in the hot morning sun, but the Cuban leader returned to the podium a few minutes later to ensure the crowd he just needed some rest.
By evening, Castro looked rested and cheerful as he went back on live television ¡ª this time from an air conditioned broadcast studio. Those in the studio gave him a standing ovation.
Late Saturday morning, the 74-year-old Cuban leader, wearing his traditional long-sleeved uniform and heavy black boots, was about two hours into a speech under the bright sun with temperatures in the mid-80s when his body began listing to the side.
It was the first time Castro appeared to faint in public and the first time in recent memory that he has been too weak to finish a speech.
People at the rally said the president never fell, and that he was immediately helped off the stage by uniformed members of his security staff.
Perez Roque indicated Castro kept a busy schedule recently, speaking Friday night at the opening of ballet school and then staying up late to prepare for the Saturday morning speech.
Castro had made several other lengthy speeches over the past week.
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