Fidel Castro has made his first non-recorded comments, since falling ill seven months ago, in a phone call to a live radio show hosted by Venezuela's president, Hugo Chávez.
In a call to Mr Chávez's radio talk show yesterday, later broadcast on Cuban TV, Mr Castro said he was "gaining ground" and recovering well. The call appeared to take the Venezuelan leader completely by surprise.
"My God! It's Fidel," Mr Chávez said, before asking in English, "How are you?" Mr Castro replied in the same language: "Very well."
"I'm gaining ground. I feel more energetic, stronger and have more time to study. I've become a student again," the Cuban leader said.
"I can't promise that I'll go over there (Venezuela) soon," Mr Castro said, but added, "I feel good and I'm happy."
Any possible doubts about the live nature of the conversation were dismissed by one topic mentioned by Mr Castro - a fall in US stocks that day after a slump on China's markets. He said the fall should be a cause of concern to Washington.
The 80-year-old leader transferred control of Cuba's government to his younger brother Raul after undergoing intestinal surgery in July. He then dropped completely out of public view, fuelling speculation that he could be dying.
Cuban officials have denied US government reports that Mr Castro was suffering from cancer. A Spanish newspaper reported last month that he had diverticular disease, a weakening of the walls of the colon.
During his chat, Mr Castro sounded healthier than in voice recordings released during his illness, although he occasionally stumbled over words. He said that the Cuban people, who he has ruled for 47 years, had acquired "the habit" of expecting constant updates on his work.
"I can't talk every day. I ask everyone for patience, calm ... the country is marching along, which is what is important," he said.
The conversation was not aired live in Cuba. But shortly afterwards Cuban state television broke into the regular nightly news programme to broadcast the conversation.
Mr Chávez ended the call, saying, "I declare to the world that you are my father". His Cuban guest signed off with the revolutionary slogan, "We will overcome".