HAVANA (UPI) -- Former Cuban President Fidel Castro turned 84 Friday, appearing healthy and still wielding power though officially out of government, observers say.

The Miami Herald reported Friday Castro retains enough power to veto his brother Raul's economic reforms and efforts to improve U.S.-Cuba relations.
Relations between the brothers have grown tense at times and some observers say the handover of power to Raul has not been settled.
Fidel Castro says he has ""totally"" recovered from his 2006 health crisis. He looks like he's gained weight and has been lucid, if tired, in public, the Herald said.
The older brother, who ruled Cuba for five decades, remains first secretary of the Communist Party, Raul, second.
""Power remains in the hands of Fidel because he still heads the party, which the constitution says is the country's top leadership force,'' Vladimiro Roca, a Havana dissident and son of a founder of Cuba's pre-revolution Communist Party, told the newspaper.
A Cuban analyst who requested anonymity to protect sources said Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega told U.S. officials during recent visits to Washington Fidel Castro retains veto power over key issues.
Armando F. Mastrapa, who runs a blog on Cuba's political-military affairs, disputed that contention.
""There is no doubt that Raul and his acolytes are in total control of the country. Fidel is no longer the controller-in-chief but rather the controlled-in-chief,'' Mastrapa said.
Others told the Herald a ""co-government'' puts Fidel's focus on international affairs while Raul oversees domestic issues, with big brother watching closely.