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Fidel Castro in 'very good health': Brazil activist

Havana (AFP) - Fidel Castro is "in very good health," a Brazilian activist said Wednesday, a day after meeting the former Cuban leader after weeks of feverish speculation concerning the 88-year-old's medical condition.

Brazilian theologian Frei Betto told Cuba's state-run television Castro was "in very good health and very good spirits" when he met him on Tuesday.

Betto was the first visitor to be officially received by Castro for more than three months.

The health of Castro, who stepped down as leader in 2006, has been the subject of intense speculation since his withdrawal from the public eye.

No images of Castro's meeting with Betto were distributed on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, Castro broke a period of silence by publishing a letter commenting on the recent rapprochement between Cuba and the United States.

"He is in the watchtower, but he remains very optimistic," Betto added of Castro's decision, according to the Granma official newspaper.

The last person to officially meet Castro was Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in October last year.