"It sounds like they took a gamble and they lost," said Dr. Peter Shamamian, an associate professor of surgery at New York University School of Medicine, referring to Castro's surgeons.

Though Shamamian said it was difficult to speculate on Castro's condition, he said colostomies are a standard procedure that do not usually result in serious complications.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a close friend of Castro, said Wednesday that the report of Castro being near death was speculation, but did not elaborate.

"About 10 days ago he called me and we spoke for about half an hour," Chavez said during a speech in the Venezuelan capital.

Chavez said he was breaking a promise by talking about the conversation because Castro allegedly said to him: "I beg you please don't tell anyone that I called you because then they get jealous, and others call me from I don't know where and want to speak with me, but I'm hardly calling anyone."

The Venezuelan president gave no further details on their conversation or on Castro's progress other than reiterating earlier comments the situation was "delicate" and that his recovery was a "slow" and not free from risks."

El Pais reported Tuesday that Castro is in "very grave" condition after three failed operations and complications from the intestinal infection diverticulitis.

El Pais said that in December, when Garcia Sabrido visited, Castro had an abdominal wound that was leaking more than a pint of fluids a day, causing "a severe loss of nutrients." The Cuban leader was being fed intravenously, the report said.

Cuba has released little information on Castro's condition since he temporarily ceded power in July to his brother, Defense Minister Raul Castro, until he could recover from emergency intestinal surgery, prompting much speculation and rumor in the country and around the world.

Washington had speculated that Castro could suffer from cancer - a supposition denied by Garcia Sabrido. Some US doctors believed Castro was suffering from diverticular disease, which can cause bleeding in the lower intestine, especially in people over 60. In severe cases, emergency surgery may be required.

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