Sao Paulo (Brazil): Cuban authorities have told the Brazilian government that Cuban leader Fidel Castro has a malignant stomach tumour and may be unable to return to full power, a Brazilian newspaper reported on Saturday.
Folha de S Paulo said Brazilian officials had been told that Castro's illness marked the start of an irreversible transfer of power on the Communist-ruled island.
Folha said Cuban authorities informed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and members of the ruling Workers' Party about the malignant stomach tumour this week.
His condition was worse than has been publicly admitted, according to Folha. ''It looks like we will lose our friend,'' it quoted Lula as telling an aide.
It gave no source but the report was written by a respected journalist. Brazilian officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Castro, 79, relinquished power temporarily last Monday to his younger brother, Raul, after intestinal surgery.
Few details of his state of health have emerged, triggering uncertainty about Cuba's future and speculation that his 47-year-old rule over Cuba could be drawing to a close.
Cuban Cabinet ministers have said the Fidel Castro was recovering. But Folha said the Brazilian authorities had been informed that even if Castro recovered, he might not be able to assume full power again.
Lula had instructed his team to be discreet, it said. He told friends Castro was a strong man who has been a friend in ''difficult hours.'' He hoped for his recovery.
The two men are old friends and the Workers' Party has longstanding ties to Cuba, although Lula has moved the party away from its leftist roots and toward the political center. Lula has visited Cuba several times, most recently as president in 2003.
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