Fidel Castro says Hugo Chavez's condition improving in battle against pelvic cancer

Cuba's leader Fidel Castro votes at a polling station during parliament elections in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. Castro, who appears in public only occasionally, was among more than 8 million islanders eligible to vote and approve 612 members of the National Assembly and over 1,600 provincial delegates. (AP Photo/Ismael Francisco, Cubadebate) (The Associated Press)

Cuba's leader Fidel Castro talks to reporters at a polling station after casting his ballot in parliament elections in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. More than 8 million islanders are eligible to vote and will approve 612 members of the National Assembly and over 1,600 provincial delegates. (AP Photo/Ismael Francisco, Cubadebate) (The Associated Press)

HAVANA – Cuba's Fidel Castro says Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is getting "much better" after undergoing a fourth cancer operation in December.

Castro says he gets daily updates on Chavez's condition. He adds that it has been a tough struggle for the Venezuelan leader, but says Chavez is improving.

Chavez has not been seen or heard from publicly since his Dec. 11 surgery in Cuba. Officials have not disclosed details of his cancer other than to say it was in the pelvic region.

Castro spoke with Cuban state media Sunday when he appeared at a Havana polling station to cast his vote in parliamentary elections. His comments were published Monday in Communist Party newspaper Granma.