CASTRO HAD RECEIVED QUESTIONABLE OR EVEN BOTCHED CARE AT THE HANDS OF HEALTH EXPERTS ON HIS COMMUNIST-RULED ISLAND. ACCORDING TO TWO MEDICAL SOURCES CITED BY EL PAIS, THE VETERAN REVOLUTIONARY WAS IN “VERY SERIOUS” CONDITION AFTER THREE FAILED OPERATIONS ON HIS LARGE INTESTINE FOR DIVERTICULITIS, OR POUCH-LIKE BULGES IN THE INTESTINE, COMPLICATED BY INFECTION.