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 said 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.

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.