Cuba: The Castro Brothers Return to the Public Eye

The first photos of ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro since his July 31 intestinal surgery were released Aug. 13 and Aug. 14. His brother Raul, acting leader of Cuba, also made his first public appearance since assuming control July 31. The long-awaited appearance of the Castro brothers, accompanied by visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, supports the assertion that the Castros' mysterious absence could have been a test to root out those who are disloyal to the regime.