Raul Castro appears at Fidel centenary amid US threats and Cuban crisis
The 95-year-old’s rare public appearance at the Karl Marx Theatre underscores the regime’s reliance on revolutionary symbolism while ordinary Cubans grapple with blackouts and shortages.
Cuba’s former president Raul Castro made a rare public appearance on Thursday, attending a secure event in Havana to mark the centenary of his brother Fidel’s birth. The 95-year-old, who remains head of the Cuban armed forces, received a standing ovation at the Karl Marx Theatre as he entered dressed in his trademark olive-green military uniform.
The appearance occurred against a backdrop of severe instability on the island. Cuba is currently grappling with its worst crisis in living memory, characterised by rolling blackouts and shortages of basic goods. These issues have been exacerbated by years of poor maintenance and a US energy embargo that demands a change in government and deep economic and political reform.
Security at the Karl Marx Theatre was tight, with cellphones banned and delegates subjected to bag checks and metal detector screenings. The event was part of a week-long series of exhibitions, concerts, and conferences organised by the Communist Party to rally party faithful and the armed forces. Attendees shouted "I am Fidel" and applauded performances featuring La Colmenita, a children’s theatre company that was a favourite of the late leader.
Tensions with the United States have escalated significantly in recent months. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Wednesday that "all options are on the table, to include military options," regarding Cuba. This comment follows open hints from President Donald Trump and other senior US officials about potential military intervention or a takeover of the island.
Castro, who stepped down as president in 2018, is indicted by a US court on four counts of murder related to the 1996 downing of US civilian planes. He last appeared in public in May in front of the US embassy in Havana, where he appeared frail. While the Communist Party utilised the anniversary to consolidate support, ordinary Cubans largely ignored the celebrations, focusing instead on coping with intense summer heat and securing water and supplies.
