Castro insists he's involved in government

HAVANA, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Cuban leader Fidel Castro insists he remains "in the loop" on matters of state despite his prolonged illness, the Granma newspaper reported Sunday.

The 80-year-old Castro said in a statement read by a newscaster on Cuban TV Saturday that he was making steady progress in his recovery.

Earlier this year the ailing leader underwent gastro-intestinal surgery, though his exact illness remains a carefully guarded secret. Castro then handed over authority to his younger brother Raul Castro.

Officials in the Bush administration have recently speculated that Fidel was suffering from cancer and would be dead within the next several months.