Cuban TV showing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (left) with Cuban President Fidel Castro

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has visited ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro in Havana and says the Cuban leader is recovering well after intestinal surgery.

New television images broadcast Friday showed President Chavez meeting with President Castro, who was wearing what appeared to be a red dressing gown. In one part of the video, the two men are seen sitting at a table, talking in a lively manner.

Later Friday, Mr. Chavez told supporters in Caracas that Mr. Castro has recovered well from the ailment from which he was suffering. Mr. Chavez returned to Caracas from visits to China, Malaysia, Syria and Angola.

Mr. Chavez last visited Mr. Castro on August 13 to celebrate the Cuban leader's 80th birthday.

Mr. Castro's younger brother, Raul Castro, temporarily assumed presidential powers last month when the Cuban leader underwent surgery. Raul Castro attributed his older brother's recovery to what he called his brother's "exceptional physical and mental nature."

Fidel Castro seized power in a 1959 revolution. The United States and Cuba have not had formal diplomatic relations since the early 1960's.