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Former Cuban President Fidel Castro makes a rare public appearance to cast his vote in the island's general elections on Sunday

By Caribbean News Now contributor

HAVANA, Cuba -- The leader of the Cuban revolution and former president of the Caribbean nation, Fidel Castro, cast his vote on Sunday in the island’s general elections of Parliament deputies and provincial government delegates.

Castro arrived at about 5:00 pm at a voting station in the Havana municipality of Plaza de la Revolucion, where he has usually voted since the first elections in 1976 following the revolution.

After casting his ballot, Castro spoke with local reporters for over an hour.

Answering reporters’ questions about how he uses his time, Castro said he is intellectually active.

“I pay attention to many things, particularly scientific, economic and international news,” he said.

Castro added that he often meets with friends that work in food production and he noted that he also pays attention to everything related to Cuban agriculture.

Castro expressed interested in the progress of the elections and he referred to the large percentage of women in the Cuban Parliament which, he said, makes it one of the leading parliaments in the world in this regards.

As to the health of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is recovering from cancer surgery in Cuba, he said that Chavez is progressing well and he was optimistic for the full recovery of the Venezuelan leader.

He also praised the work of the Venezuelan president in his country and in Latin America generally, as he stressed that Chavez is one of the people that has done the most for the unity of the region.

Castro also referred to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), whose pro-tempore presidency was assumed by Cuba in January. He described the bloc as an advancement stemming from the efforts of many.

The former president also addressed the consequences being faced by Europe due to the world economic crisis and he commented on alarming indicators, such as the high unemployment level in Spain.

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