BY FRANCES ROBLES AND RENATO PEREZ

The Chilean government released photographs of president Michelle Bachelet's meeting this week with retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

The pictures show Castro, 82, wearing a white track suit jacket and gray pants. He appears well groomed and alert.

Castro has been out of public view for 2 ½ years, since an intestinal illness caused him to step down from power. Last month, South Florida was awash in rumors that he was gravely ill or even dead -- until he proved he was still alive by meeting with the president of Argentina.

Bachelet had nice things to say about Castro and their 90-minute meeting. But upon her departure from Cuba, Castro penned a new column criticizing the "vengeful and fascist oligarchy [that] restrains the Chilean nation.''

Castro caused a flap Friday for commenting on Chile's long-standing dispute with neighboring Bolivia. Both nations are on friendly terms with Cuba, but Castro sided with Bolivia in a land dispute that dates back to 1879.

''It is in bad taste when, right after meeting with [Bachelet], he publishes statements that clearly go against our country,'' Chilean Christian-Democratic deputy Patricio Walker told El Mercurio newspaper. 'There is no reason for him to get involved in the topic of the Bolivians' corridor to the sea.''