Cuban official media on Thursday published a number of photos of and interview with the island's former leader Fidel Castro in an attempt to end spread rumors that Castro had died.

"To those who are now enjoying, and believe that Fidel had a stroke, I regret to inform you that he is alive and kicking," official website Cubadebate quoted Venezuelan journalist Mario Silva as saying.

Silva had traveled to the Cuban capital city of Havana earlier this week to interview the "historical leader and to dismantle the lies of the Venezuelan opposition and the extreme right in Miami (USA) that had spread rumors indicating the Cuban leader had died," said Cubadebate.

The site released photos showing Silva and the 85-year-old Castro talking, eating, and sharing a glass of wine, while they were reading an edition of the official Cuban daily Granma which was dated Sept. 6.

Last week, several websites and agencies published rumors that the health of Fidel Castro was in a critical condition and the former Cuban leader may even have died, rumors that in part were fueled by Castro's decision not to issue any statement or photographs on his 85th birthday on Aug. 13.

The last time Castro appeared in public was during the 6th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in April and he has since then only communicated to the Cuban public via his opinion columns called "Reflections" that are published in Granma.