I guess he looks alive. He’s probably getting ready to take a little jog on his 80th birthday. The picture is just ripe for some fisking, photoshopping (if it hasn’t been already) or captioning (leave yours in the comments). Here’s the story:

The first photographs of Fidel Castro since his illness two weeks ago were published Sunday in Cuba’s Communist Youth newspaper with a statement by the Cuban leader saying on his 80th birthday “I feel very happy.”

After his jog he can celebrate with friends.

Meanwhile, his close friend and political ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, said Saturday that he would visit the Cuban leader.

“Tomorrow I will be with Fidel celebrating his 80th birthday,” Chavez said at a news conference in Caracas after declaring his candidacy for re-election in December.

“I’ll take him a nice gift, a good cake, and we’ll be celebrating the 80 years of this great figure of America and our history,” Chavez said.

But the real story is this:

“Sadly, Granma’s optimism of Fidel Castro’s health is in sharp contrast to political prisoners who are rotting in Cuban prisons for simply disagreeing (with him),” said Alfredo Mesa, spokesman for the Cuban American National Foundation. “Dead or alive, change in Cuba must come now. The era of Fidel Castro must end.“

The sooner the better.

UPDATE: Val has a birthday “wish” for him as well.

UPDATE II: Blue Crab Boulevard says,

In what I consider unusual for AP (or any of the wire services these days) the copy of the photo they show admits that they cannot vouch for the accuracy of the claims of when the photo was actually taken. (Is it possible the harsh criticism from bloggers is beginning to have an effect? One can dream).” [Take a look at the photo he "discovered" as well. Jim]

Captain Ed, in a related post, is still wondering Where’s Raul-do, Day 13: The Natives Are Restless:

Today is Fidel’s birthday, usually a cause for national celebration. It would be inconceivable that Raul would not publicly celebrate his brother’s birthday if Raul was capable of doing so. If he does not show up with a birthday cake somewhere in Havana and give a public show of support for his brother, Cubans will know that the jig is up.

And all of the secret police officers on the island will not keep them quiet after that — which is exactly what the Cuban government fears.

UPDATE III: The Florida Masochist asks, “How does a communist in a classless society get such obviously capitalist clothing?”

Welcome to Captain’s Quarters and Florida Masochist readers. Thanks for the links gentleman.

UPDATE IV: The Real Cuba has side by side “before and after” pics. Are the current official offerings altered. Take a look and be the judge.