Raúl Castro made his first public appearance since a U.S. indictment on murder charges when he attended an Interior Ministry celebration in Havana, footage on state television showed. The U.S. alleges he ordered the 1996 shootdown of planes flown by Cuban exiles, an allegation Washington says intensifies pressure on Cuba's government. Castro, who turned 95 this week, had been seen at May Day events and was previously not publicly observed since a Jan. 15 ceremony honoring 32 soldiers.
Raúl Castro Makes First Public Appearance Since U.S. Indictment, Seen At Havana Interior Ministry Event
FILE PHOTO: Cuba's former President Raul Castro watches a May Day rally in Havana, Cuba May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Norlys Perez/File Photo
Former Cuban leader Raúl Castro appeared at an Interior Ministry celebration in Havana on Friday, footage shown on Cuban state television indicated. It was his first public outing since a U.S. indictment on murder charges was announced last month.
Background
The U.S. Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, alleges Castro — who previously served as Cuba's defense minister — ordered Cuban military jets to shoot down aircraft flown by a group of Cuban exiles in 1996. Washington has described the indictment as a significant escalation in its pressure campaign against Cuba's communist government.
A man checks his phone at an office of the Ministry of Finance and Prices underneath a framed poster of Cuba's late President Fidel Castro, his brother, former President Raul Castro and President Miguel Diaz-Canel as the country marks Raul Castro's 95th birthday after U.S. authorities charged him with murder in connection with the downing of civilian airplanes in 1996 and amid sanctions and a fuel blockade by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Havana, Cuba, June 3, 2026. The writing on the poster reads “We are Cuba, we are continuity.” REUTERS/Norlys Perez
Recent Appearances
Castro, who turned 95 on Wednesday, was seen publicly at May Day events in Havana roughly a month before the indictment. Prior to that, he had not been publicly observed since Jan. 15, when he attended a ceremony in the capital honoring the 32 Cuban soldiers reportedly killed during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Why It Matters: The public appearance demonstrates Castro remains a visible figure in state ceremonies despite the high-profile U.S. charges, underscoring tensions between Havana and Washington.
Reporting: Dave Sherwood and Alien Fernandez. Editing: Iñigo Alexander.
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