Raul Castro makes rare public appearance at Fidel centenary event
Cuba's 95-year-old former leader Raul Castro, indicted by the US in May on murder charges, made a rare public appearance in Havana on Thursday to mark his brother Fidel's 100th birthday, amid the island's deep economic crisis and rising US pressure.
Raul Castro, head of Cuba's armed forces and former president, received a standing ovation on Thursday as he entered the Karl Marx Theatre in Havana for an event marking the centenary of his brother Fidel Castro's birth. It was his first public appearance in months.
The 95-year-old, widely seen as still wielding significant influence despite stepping down as president in 2018, attended dressed in his trademark olive-green military uniform. The event was held under tight security, with cellphones banned, bags screened and attendees passed through metal detectors.
In May, a court in Florida indicted Castro on four counts of murder linked to the February 1996 downing of US civilian planes by Cuban forces, when he served as defence minister. He was last seen publicly on May 1 outside the US embassy in Havana, appearing frail, before being shown on state television in June.
Pressure from Washington
The United States has imposed an energy embargo on Cuba, demanding a change of government along with sweeping economic and political reforms. In recent months, President Donald Trump and senior officials have hinted at possible military intervention. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that "all options are on the table, to include military options."
Cuba has faced rolling blackouts and shortages of basic goods due to the ongoing crisis and years of poor infrastructure maintenance. In June, Cuba's presidency said Raul Castro had approved a package of economic reforms to address the situation.
The Communist Party has used the week surrounding the centenary to rally party members and the military through exhibitions, concerts and conferences. However, the anniversary has largely gone unnoticed among ordinary Cubans, who remain focused on finding water and supplies while coping with intense summer heat.
