Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Fidel Castro discussed Cuban-supported education and health care programs in Nicaragua and Venezuela, state-run media reported yesterday. ?The meeting between the two leaders served to deepen bilateral relations between Cuba and Nicaragua. Comrade Fidel was very satisfied with his meeting with Daniel,? the government communiqué said.

Ortega was the third Latin American socialist president to visit the convalescing Cuban leader in less than two weeks. Castro recently met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales.

The four-hour meeting with Ortega on Saturday also covered Cuban support for Nicaragua?s efforts to improve the energy grid, and regional and global issues, like global warming, according to the statement. Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua have formed an alliance called the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, or ALBA, which opposes US policy in the region. The alliance is named after Simon Bolivar, the area?s 19th century independence leader.

Castro underwent several operations last year for a life-threatening intestinal condition that has kept him from reappearing in public. He provisionally handed over power to his 76-year-old brother and Defense Minister Raul Castro nearly a year ago. Cuban officials say the 80-year-old Castro has markedly improved over the last few months, written numerous opinion columns castigating the United States and held more frequent meetings with foreign visitors.

Castro?s ailment, condition and whereabouts are considered state secrets.