HAVANA – Cuba’s foreign minister backed away Monday from his prediction that Fidel Castro will return to power by early December, leaving open questions about the pace of the communist leader’s recovery from intestinal surgery.

Felipe Perez Roque told The Associated Press that Castro’s recovery was “advancing,” but declined to guarantee that Castro would be well enough to attend the postponed celebration of his 80th birthday on Dec. 2. Castro turned 80 on Aug. 13 but announced delayed festivities when he told Cubans of his surgery in late July.

Perez Roque had said in September that he expected Castro to be fully back by early December. When asked about the birthday celebrations he had said: “I have no questions in my mind that we will be able to celebrate his birthday in December as he deserves.”

But in an interview Monday, Perez Roque said that he couldn’t discuss whether Castro would return to power so quickly.

“It’s a subject on which I don’t want to speculate,” he said. “The important thing is his recovery, which he’s doing in a serious and persistent manner.”

Castro has not made any public appearances since July 26, a few days before he was sidelined by the surgery and announced a temporary transfer of power to his 75-year-old brother Raul. The Cuban government has treated his ailment as a state secret, releasing sporadic videos and photographs to prove he’s recovering.

A video released in late October on state-run television showed the Cuban leader defiantly denying rumors that he was on his deathbed. Yet some Cubans said they were surprised to see how frail he still was.

Perez Roque said he meets with the elder Castro frequently and has seen him since the latest video.

“He looks good,” the minister said. “I see that his recovery is advancing, that his convalescence is satisfactory.”

He said Castro is in constant contact with his doctors and will return to power “at the right moment.”

“We are optimistic, and happy,” he said. “The only ones who are sad are our enemies, who were all prepared to celebrate (his death).”

Those who thought the Cuban revolution would collapse without Fidel Castro at the helm were proven wrong, Perez Roque said. “They have learned a good lesson,” he said.

While many Cubans grumble about economic struggles on the island, they have seemed to accept the younger Castro as their leader, albeit temporarily. Perez Roque acknowledged that the Cuban government faces some discontent and even said some changes could be on the horizon.

“The Cuban government and the leadership of the (Communist) party are aware of, and share, these worries about difficulties with the quality of life of the people,” he said. “All of our efforts are focused in the direction of finding solutions to these problems.”

The foreign minister is among half a dozen officials granted special responsibilities by Castro when he transferred power. This leadership, led by Raul Castro, is going well, Perez Roque said.

“For us young ones, it’s not only been a privilege but also more schooling,” said the 41-year-old, in charge of monitoring the budgets for Cuba’s health, education and energy programs with Central Bank President Francisco Soberon and Vice President Carlos Lage, who is 55.