Raúl Castro made a public appearance on Thursday at a ceremony in Havana honoring his late brother, Fidel Castro, on what would have been the former leader's 100th birthday, according to ABC.
The event took place amid ongoing negotiations between the Cuban government and the United States, ABC reports. Raúl Castro's appearance marked his first public outing in several weeks, with ABC noting he had remained out of sight during a period of heightened pressure from Washington.
The centenary celebrations come as Cuba faces what El Correo described as its worst crisis in decades. ABC also reported that the ruling regime used the occasion to commemorate Fidel Castro's legacy while simultaneously engaging in diplomatic talks with U.S. officials.
Fidel Castro led Cuba from 1959 until 2006, when illness forced him to hand power to his brother Raúl. The younger Castro, now in his mid-90s, has rarely been seen in public in recent years, making Thursday's appearance notable for observers of Cuban politics.
The tribute in Havana drew attention not only for its historical significance but also for its timing, as the Cuban government balances domestic commemorations with delicate negotiations abroad, according to ABC.
El HuffPost noted the centenary has also prompted efforts to explain Fidel Castro's revolutionary legacy to younger generations unfamiliar with his rule.
Observers will be watching whether Raúl Castro's reappearance signals a shift in his public engagement or remains a one-off appearance tied to the anniversary.
