Cuban leader Fidel Castro has reassumed most of his government tasks in his country, although not formally, stated in Caracas Friday his confidant and friend Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a press conference.

Cuban President Fidel Castro speaks in his "Mesa Redonda" program on Cuaban National TV, in Havana October 28, 2006. Castro appeared on state television speaking to Cubans as he browsed the day's newspapers, in his first public appearance for 40 days.

"There were times in which he completely delegated his government functions, but at this time he has reassumed most of the work although not formally," said Chavez.

Fidel Castro provisionally delegated power on July 31 to Raul Castro due to a serious illness which remains a State secret.

"His notes, his voice through the telephone and other details indicate there is a frank recovery in his health, but I cannot say more," said Chavez in reply to a question as to when Castro would officially assume Cuba's direction.

"Last night I received a message written by Fidel," said Chavez, and added that he has become, unintentionally, Castro's confidant and information recipient, "in full detail, in respect of the problem he has been undergoing."

Chavez added that the Cuban leader "is almost recovered, dedicated to analyze and study. He has been on track of the oil market, of the trade interchange with Venezuela, of the Posada Carriles case, of the threats that continue against Cuba and Venezuela."

The 79-year-old Posada Carriles, a Cuban-born former CIA operative and naturalized citizen of Venezuela, is wanted for an alleged attack on a Cuban airliner that killed 73 people, and for a series of attacks on Havana hotels that killed one Italian tourist in 1997.

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2007)