Cuba: Raul Castro, 95, Appears in Havana After Health Rumours
CUBA · POLITICS
Key Facts
—What happened: Raúl Castro, 95, appeared at a military event in Havana on September 6, 2026.
—How big it is: State TV showed him walking unaided, ending weeks of speculation about his health.
—What it means: His appearance was widely seen as a response to rumors that he was gravely ill.
—The catch: Castro did not speak; his letter was read by the interior minister.
—Who it hits: Cubans and observers who had feared the last Castro brother was dying.
—What comes next: Attention returns to who really runs Cuba, with Díaz-Canel as president.
Raul Castro appeared in public in Havana on Saturday, at a ceremony for the unit that guards Cuba’s leaders. The 95-year-old had been the subject of rumours about his health.
A public return in uniform
Raúl Castro appeared in public on September 6, 2026, at a ceremony in Havana. State television showed him in his olive-green uniform, walking unaided and greeting officials.
The event marked the 65th anniversary of the Directorate of Personal Security, a unit of the Interior Ministry. Castro is its founding chief, and he attended alongside President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
His message was read aloud
Castro did not speak at the ceremony. His letter was read out by Interior Minister General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas.
In the letter, Castro said: “The Revolution is living through difficult days under the hostility of the United States government.” He also honored 32 Cubans killed in Venezuela on January 3, 2026.
What the rumors said
Before the September 6 appearance, rumors spread that Castro had suffered a stroke or was hospitalized. Diario Las Américas, a Miami-based Spanish-language outlet, first reported on August 31 that he was gravely ill.
Local10, a Miami television station, later reported he was on life-support equipment, apparently after a stroke. Cuban authorities made no comment until the public event.
The rumors gained traction because Castro had missed the July 26 ceremony marking the 1953 attack on the Moncada barracks. That was his first absence from the main revolutionary commemoration in decades.
Who runs Cuba now
Miguel Díaz-Canel is the current president of Cuba. He took office in 2018 and also leads the Communist Party since 2021.
Díaz-Canel appeared alongside Castro at the September 6 event. He called it an honor to participate with the Army General, a title Castro still holds.
Castro holds no formal government or party position now. But his presence at such events signals his continued role as a senior figure in the revolution.
Why the appearance matters
By showing Castro walking unaided, the state aimed to end the health speculation. The visual message was clear: he is still alive and able to appear in public.
His public appearances are closely watched because they signal stability or change within the leadership. This one suggests he remains a presence, despite his age.
The event also served to honor the Directorate of Personal Security, a unit Castro founded. It marked its 65th anniversary.
What happens next
Castro’s health will likely remain a topic of speculation, but his appearance offers some reassurance. The focus now shifts to how Díaz-Canel handles Cuba’s economic crisis and relations with the U.S.
Observers will watch for any policy changes or responses from Havana in the coming weeks. The letter’s mention of U.S. hostility sets the tone.
Cuba’s economic crunch
Cuba faces its worst economic crisis in decades. Fuel and food shortages have caused widespread blackouts and long lines.
The U.S. trade embargo, in place since 1962, makes the situation harder. Cuba also blames U.S. sanctions for its troubles.
What Cuba wants
Cuba’s government wants the U.S. to lift the embargo. It also seeks relief from sanctions and access to oil.
The Cuban economy depends on oil imports. Shortages have forced rolling blackouts and hurt daily life.
What the U.S. demands
The U.S. wants political and economic changes in Cuba. These include free elections and respect for human rights.
Washington also wants Cuba to stop supporting Venezuela. That support has strained relations for years.
Who is Raúl Castro
Raúl Castro is 95 years old and the last surviving leader of Cuba’s 1959 revolution. He is the younger brother of Fidel Castro, who ruled Cuba for nearly five decades.
Raúl took over provisionally in 2006 when Fidel fell ill. He was formally elected president in 2008 and served until 2018.
He then handed the presidency to Miguel Díaz-Canel. Raúl led the Communist Party until 2021, but he still holds significant influence behind the scenes.
The unit at the centre of the ceremony
The event marked 65 years of the Directorate of Personal Security. The body guards Cuba’s senior leaders and sits under the interior ministry, MININT.
State television showed Castro in his olive-green uniform. President Miguel Diaz-Canel attended alongside him.
Brigadier General Emir Mesa Corona also took part, according to Cuban state media.
What his letter said
Interior Minister General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas read the letter out. Castro wrote that ‘the Revolution is living through difficult days under the hostility of the United States government’.
Prensa Latina and OnCubaNews carried the text on 6 September. Castro did not speak at the ceremony himself.
The letter also honoured 32 Cubans killed in Venezuela on 3 January 2026.
How power passed from Fidel
Fidel Castro handed day-to-day power to his brother in 2006, when illness forced him to step back. Raul Castro took the presidency formally in 2008.
He handed the presidency to Miguel Diaz-Canel in 2018. He gave up the Communist Party leadership in 2021.
He remains a deputy in the National Assembly. He holds no executive office.
The absence that started the talk
Castro did not appear at the 26 July ceremony marking the attack on the Moncada barracks. That is one of the dates he has rarely missed.
His absence was noticed in Cuba and abroad. The rumours followed within weeks.
What to watch
Cuba’s leadership faces pressure at home and abroad. How Díaz-Canel responds will shape the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raúl Castro still alive?
Yes, Raúl Castro appeared in public on September 6, 2026, at a military event in Havana. He was seen walking unaided, which ended rumors that he had died or was gravely ill.
What is Raúl Castro’s current role in Cuba?
Raúl Castro no longer holds an official position, but he remains an influential figure as a former president and Communist Party leader. He often appears at major events and is considered an elder statesman.
Who is the president of Cuba now?
Miguel Díaz-Canel is the current president of Cuba. He took office in 2018 and also leads the Communist Party since 2021.
What were the rumors about Raúl Castro’s health?
Rumors claimed he had suffered a stroke or was hospitalized. They started after he missed a July rally, and Diario Las Américas and WPLG Local 10 reported he was seriously ill.
Did Raúl Castro make a statement at the event?
No, he did not speak. His letter was read aloud by Interior Minister General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, and it honored 32 Cubans killed in Venezuela.
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