(CNN) -- Some long-time Cuba watchers expressed skepticism Tuesday over a report by a former Mexican foreign minister that Communist leader Raul Castro removed two top-ranking officials earlier this month because they were plotting to overthrow him with the support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. 

Fidel Castro, beset by illness, ceded power to his younger brother, Raul, pictured, last year. 

Jorge G. Castaneda, who served as Mexico's foreign minister from 2000 - 2003, wrote in the March 23 issue of Newsweek, which became public Saturday, that Deputy Prime Minister Carlos Lage Davila and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque were concerned that Raul Castro would make concessions that would betray the 50-year-old Cuban Revolution. 

"For at least a month or so, Lage, Perez Roque and others were apparently involved in a conspiracy, betrayal, coup or whatever term one prefers, to overthrow or displace Raul from his position," Castaneda wrote. "In this endeavor, they recruited -- or were recruited by -- Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, who in turn tried to enlist the support of other Latin American leaders, starting with Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic, who refused to get involved." 

The Venezuelan Embassy in Washington did not answer a verbal and written request for comment. 

The Dominican Republic Embassy in Washington did not answer telephones calls at various numbers. 

Robert Pastor, who served as a Latin America National Security adviser for President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s, returned Saturday from a weeklong visit to Cuba. 

Pastor said he wrote Castaneda a letter upon his return expressing his disbelief in Castaneda's contentions.  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What does Raul Castro do?
2. What is Raul Castro's role?
3. 
Q2:
1. What was the name of Venezuela's president?
2. Who was in charge of Venezuela?
3. 
Q3:
1. Who wanted to try and overthrow Castro?
2. Who attempted to forcibly remove Castro from power?
3. 
Q4:
1. When was Jorge Castaneda's tenure as a foreign minister?
2. During what years did Jorge Castaneda serve as foreign minister?
3. 
Q5:
1. What was the duration of the conspiracy?
2. For how much time were people plotting?
3. 
Q6:
1. What was the name of Raul Castro's brother?
2. Who was Raul Castro's male sibling?
3. 
Q7:
1. Who did Hugo Chavez want to support him?
2. Who was Hugo Chavez hoping would back him?
3. 
Q8:
1. What Latin American leaders did Hugo Chavez desire support from?
2. Which leaders from Latin America was Hugo Chavez trying to get to back him?
3. 
Q9:
1. What country is Leonel Fernandez in charge of?
2. Which nation does Leonel Fernandez lead?
3. 
Q10:
1. Did Leonel Fernandez help Hugo Chavez?
2. Did Hugo Chavez receive support from Leonel Fernandez?
3. 
Q11:
1. Who wrote to Jorge Castaneda?
2. Who penned a missive to Jorge Castaneda?
3. 
