Rumors are rife that Castro is dead. The Tallahassee Democrat is reporting that Florida Governor Charlie Crist is meeting with Coast Guard Rear Admiral David Kunkel today at 11:30am to discuss "emergency planning"

The Coast Guard is a key partner with Florida in planning for another flood of refugees should Castro's regime, which began in 1958, topple.

Castro, 80, hasn't been seen publicly since July 26, the day before he underwent intestinal surgery. Published reports say he has had multiple operations and that his health if failing.

The Castro is dead rumors have come and gone with some frequency the last year, but these of the last few days seem to be particularly intense. Crist's meeting with Kunkel may be long-planned, or it may be a sign that Castro's reign is very close to over, or perhaps just precautionary.

The local CBS affiliate in Miami has this from Prensa Latina, Cuba's official state news agency:

Prensa Latina reports that Vice President Jose Ramon Fernandez indicates the leader is recovering and adds that the nation is functioning with normality.

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