The Cuban state television aired this Saturday images of Raúl Castro attending an official event marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the first Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and the state newspaper Granma, at the Universal Hall in the capital, following weeks of unconfirmed rumors about an alleged decline in his health.
In the material, the Army General is seen entering the venue alongside the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and receiving a lengthy ovation.
The broadcast featured Raúl Castro as the main figure of the tribute—alongside fellow nonagenarians José Ramón Machado Ventura and Ramiro Valdés—in a narrative focused on the unity of the Party and the role of the newspaper Granma as the official organ.
The strongly ceremonial framing avoided any reference to the former president's health, despite recent rumors.
The central speech by Díaz-Canel at the event emphasized “unity as a guarantee” of the political project, the role of Granma, and the relevance of the letter from Che as an antidote against “enemy campaigns”.
The tone reinforced the symbolic dimension of the event and presented Raúl as a living reference of continuity, without providing new informational elements regarding his personal situation.
The television appearance serves as a implicit response to comments about his health, but it does not clear up doubts.
Cuba showcased Raúl Castro at a highly symbolic event amid a wave of rumors; the television segment confirms his presence but omits details about his health, prioritizing the political message of unity and party continuity.
Public absence
So far, the last confirmed public appearance of Raúl Castro took place on August 13 in Birán, during the commemorative event for the 99th birthday of the dictator Fidel Castro.
On that occasion, General appeared visibly fragile and was assisted by officials during his movements.
After that event, his name was only mentioned again in the state press in an indirect manner, as the sender of floral tributes or protocol messages, but he was not seen in public again.
His absence at the funeral of Vice Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas on September 17 was one of the events that fueled the most suspicion about his condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Raúl Castro's Comeback and His Health
Why were there rumors about Raúl Castro's health?
Rumors about Raúl Castro's health emerged due to his prolonged public absence and the lack of official information regarding his condition. His absence from significant events, such as the funeral of Vice Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas, fueled speculation about a possible decline in his health. Additionally, misinformation and rumors on social media contributed to intensifying these rumors.
What did Cuban television show about Raúl Castro?
Cuban television broadcast images of Raúl Castro attending an official event in Havana for the 60th anniversary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and the newspaper Granma. The images showed him entering the venue alongside Miguel Díaz-Canel and receiving a standing ovation, but did not provide details about his health. The appearance was interpreted as a response to rumors, although it did not clarify his personal condition.
What was the purpose of the event that Raúl Castro attended?
The event commemorated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the first Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and the newspaper Granma. The event contained a high symbolic content, focused on the unity and continuity of the Cuban regime. The presence of Raúl Castro was used to reinforce the political message of stability and continuity of the single party.
How has the Cuban regime responded to the rumors about Raúl Castro?
The regime responded to the rumors with a digital campaign under the slogan “Raúl is Raúl,” designed to counter speculation about his health. This campaign included the dissemination of images and messages on social media to project an image of vitality and continuity for the general. However, this strategy did not provide concrete information about his health status.
Filed under:
