In the taped interview, Castro spoke slowly with long pauses about a range of topics including the strength of the euro against the dollar. "Yesterday the euro was at $1.41. Oil I think about $84 a barrel, " he said, suggesting he was up to date on current affairs and the interview was very recent.

The interview focused on a recent newspaper article by Castro on international affairs, the risks to the global economy and criticism of the US. He also answered a question on the state of his health.

"Well, I'm still here, " he said. "And if they say I'm dying, or have died, or I'm going to die the day after tomorrow, well, no one knows when they're going to die."

Earlier on Friday, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez said Castro had undergone several blood transfusions but could "live 100 more years". "What little problem does he have? One operation, two operations, three operations. At 81, you can imagine he almost died."

Cuban officials have insisted Castro is on the road to recovery but his failure to appear on his birthday on 13 August fuelled rumours he might be on his deathbed. Castro's younger brother, Raul, has been acting president since 31 July 2006.