Ross Feinstein, spokesman for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, said "The bottom line: He is terminally ill."

Castro has not been seen in public for five months, and few medical updates have been made public since his reported intestinal surgery in July.

Castro also sat out the National Assembly's last session of the year, marking only the second time in 30 years that the Cuban leader has missed an assembly meeting.

This opinion is contrary to the report of a Spanish medical specialist who recently flew out to Cuba to assess Castro's health. Dr Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido examined Castro in December and declared him "cancer free" and on the path to recovery. He said that Castro would make a full recovery and could return to power.

So it boils down to a question of who's word you are willing to believe, the Director of National Intelligence of the US or a Spanish doctor?