The Cuban state television broadcast images of Raúl Castro Ruz during his meeting this Tuesday with the Minister of the Interior of the Russian Federation, Police General Vladimir Alexandrovich Kolokoltsev, in a new public appearance by the historic leader of the regime.
According to the official note, during the meeting both parties exchanged views on the “excellent bilateral relations” between Cuba and Russia and reaffirmed the intention to strengthen the links between both governments, particularly in the area of cooperation. In this context, Castro sent “warm regards” to the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The meeting was attended by the Russian ambassador in Havana, Víctor Koronelli, and other members of the visiting delegation. From the Cuban side, Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, a member of the Politburo and minister of the Interior, participated along with senior officials from MININT.
Official media published photographs of Castro and Kolokoltsev shaking hands and conversing in a formal setting. The meeting is part of the Russian official's agenda, who arrived in Cuba on Monday as part of a visit aimed at strengthening cooperation in security and domestic order.
The meeting with Kolokoltsev took place a few days after the public reappearance of Castro at the tribute to the 32 Cuban soldiers who died in Venezuela during the operation that culminated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
In fact, journalist Ninoska Pérez recalled on the social media platform X that the regime brought Raúl back into the public eye at a particularly challenging time for the country, characterized by widespread blackouts, a healthcare crisis, food shortages, and the slow recovery process following the hurricane Melissa in the eastern part of the island.
Pérez also emphasized a striking detail: this time there were no medals or decorations for the Russian visitor, a common practice of the Cuban regime when it seeks to strengthen political and military alliances with its strategic partners, especially in contexts of international isolation.
The meeting takes place as Cuba faces one of its most delicate moments from an economic and social standpoint, reinforcing the image of a permanent alignment with Moscow, even as the population endures a sustained deterioration in living conditions. For many observers, Raúl Castro's presence at such meetings continues to be an internal message of continuity in real power, beyond formal positions.
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