Cuban government releases new photos of Fidel Castro

HAVANA, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Cuban government has released photos of former leader Fidel Castro, showing him sitting up and chatting with the head of the Federation of University Students. The photos are the first in months that show the former president alive and well, amid rumors to the contrary.

The photos of the 88-year-old appeared late Monday on the website of Cuba's state-run newspaper, Granma. He is sitting in a chair, slightly hunched over and, in some, engaging in a lively conversation with Randy Perdomo Garcia, president of the student group. In some photos, Castro's wife, Dalia, looks on. They photos were reportedly taken Jan. 23.

The photos in the Communist Party newspaper were accompanied by an article titled "Fidel is one of a kind (More photos)",. Perdomo said he met with Castro for more than three hours and Castro was "full of life."

Last month, rumors began spreading that Castro was dead or gravely ill after weeks passed and he didn't comment on the renewed diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba. These are the first photos of Cuba's former president released since August.