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I think he's going to be ill.

Cuban President Fidel Castro, right, talks with Spain Prince Felipe during lunch in Asuncion, Paraguay, Friday, August. 15, 2003. Castro and Felipe traveled to Paraguay to attend New Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte swearing-in ceremony. (AP Photo/Dado Galdieri)

Castro Draws a Crowd in Paraguay - Sheds Tears***"Fidel! Fidel!" a young and raucous crowd chanted, including admirers and others who simply wanted to see the hemisphere's lone communist leader. Castro attended Friday's inauguration of Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte and made his speech just before he was to return to Cuba. Castro, who turned 77 on Wednesday, at times looked weary and seemed to struggle for words as he attacked U.S. government policies and sought South American support for his communist state.

Many cheered at the mere sight of the gray-bearded leader and chanted "Ole! Ole! Fidel! Ole!" and "A people united will never be defeated!"

It was Castro's first visit to Paraguay. The communist leader was long considered persona non grata here during the right-wing military dictatorship of Gen. Alfredo Stroessner, who ruled from 1954 until 1989. Professing a deep aversion to communism, Stroessner long considered the Soviet Union and Cuba top enemies.***

On Saturday, Castro seemed more the object of celebrity adulation by leftist sympathizers and others in post-dictatorship Paraguay. Turning to the crowd, Castro likened the United States to the "Rome of antiquity" and outlined arguments defending his communist state. At one point, many in the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to the Cuban leader - and he appeared touched, shedding a few tears. ***