Raul Castro indulges in luxury golf at Italy resort
Communist Party leader and acting Cuban President Gen. Raul Castro visited a luxurious golf resort in central Italy early last month, according to the resort owner.
Argentario Golf Resort
Castro was a guest at the Argentario Golf Resort in Tuscany before traveling on to visit his daughter's family at a secret location believed to be in Sicily.
Castro arrived by helicopter and toured the course by air before landing.
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According to news accounts in Italy, Castro told the owners the resort was “delightful” and he congratulated them for their "extraordinary" work in designing the grounds.
According to the newspaper Corriere della Sera, Castro’s visit was part of a study into the possible construction of a similar golf course in Cuba.
The newspaper said Castro traveled to a "secret location to the south, probably in Sicily," where his son-in-law Paolo and his daughter Mariela reside.
The Cuban dictator is believed to be in line to replace his ailing brother Fidel, who gave up power to Raul last year.
Meanwhile, an Internet blog called Bitacora Cubana reported Aug. 25 that Fidel Castro recently underwent a “tracheotomy.” The posting stated that Castro's postoperative condition is unknown, however, “the truth is that his status is critical and the prognosis is dismal.”
