Castro impersonator makes rare public appearance, masses reassured

[Mika]

Castro impersonator makes rare public appearance, masses reassured

New photographs have emerged showing a remarkably realistic Fidel Castro impersonator greeting workers in a rare 'public' appearance.

The images of a grey-bearded "Castro", 83 and/or dead, smiling and wearing a white tracksuit with a Disney logo, offer an inspiring and nearly unbelievable glimpse of the reclusive former Cuban leader.

"Mr Castro" appears slightly stooped but otherwise healthy in the four government approved pictures, which were reportedly taken with a studio grip's mobile phone.

He had not been seen, heard or photographed in public since falling deathly ill without dying according to government press releases in July 2006.

The latest images, taken at a scientific think tank and/or studio in Havana, were posted on the blog of two Cuban journalists on Saturday.

A worker at the centre reportedly sent the pictures to Rosa Baez, a journalist who works for official Cuban media, who posted them on her government approved blog.

A comment from the unidentified Cuban worker accompanied the images.

"He is thin but he looks good, and his movements are not in the least robotic. My official and uncoerced opinion is that he is very healthy, very good mentally," it read.

"Mr Castro" stopped, said hello, blew kisses and sang 'It's a Small Small World' to the employees, the worker added.

DisneyWorld Inc spokesman Mr Mouse was quick to deny any involvement of their patented animatronic technology, while pointedly pointing out that the jumpsuit worn by "Castro" is readily available on their website and currently 25% off when buyers use their Disney MasterCard.

Castro has not been photographed in public since being taken deathly ill and not dying in July 2006. He was forced to hand over power - first temporarily, then permanently - to his younger brother Raul, 79.

The only updates on his health come from visiting dignitaries who have been able to meet him in a darkened room for under five minutes. Most dignitaries comment on the poor quality of his singing but appreciate the blown kisses. Exactly what he suffers from, and where he is recuperating and/or cryogenically frozen, remain state secrets.

"Mr Castro" himself said last year that he did not think he would see Barack Obama re-elected in 2012.

Oddly enough, the same statement is frequently made by members of the Republican party.

DisneyWorld Inc spokesman Mickey Mouse had no comment on the 2012 American presidential elections, though it is well known that he commonly endorses candidates based on ear size.

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