Former Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), Raúl Castro Ruz, made a rare public appearance this Saturday at the funeral of Army Corps General Ramón Espinosa Martín, the first deputy minister of the institution, who passed away on September 24th.
This marks Castro's second public appearance in less than a week, amidst persistent rumors regarding a significant decline in his health. These speculations have been rampant on social media and some independent news outlets.
Castro, aged 93, led the ceremony at the Granma Hall of MINFAR alongside Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel. The Army General was the first to pay tribute, placing a white rose before the urn containing Espinosa Martín's ashes.
Last week, Castro briefly appeared in public to welcome Vietnamese President To Lam, an event aimed at quelling rumors about his death or severe health deterioration.
Ongoing Speculations About Castro's Health
Despite his recent public appearances, gossip about Castro's health persists, fueled by his advanced age and prolonged absence from public life in recent months. This second appearance at a significant and solemn event appears to be an effort to dispel these ongoing rumors.
A Symbolic Presence Amidst a Fading Leadership
Via his X account, Díaz-Canel paid tribute to the late general and highlighted the presence of the nonagenarian general who had placed him at the helm of the government, dubbing him as the supposed leader of the so-called "continuity."
Raúl Castro's reappearance at the funeral of one of the most influential military figures of the so-called "revolution" comes at a time when Cuban leadership faces the loss of several key figures from the "old guard."
In September alone, four other generals passed away, underlining the fragility of the historical leadership of the regime and sparking debates about the need for generational change and the transition towards democracy in the Western Hemisphere's longest-running dictatorship.
The End of an Era?
Despite the regime's efforts to maintain Castro's image as an active figure, his age and the deaths of his closest comrades have intensified the sense that an era is coming to an end.
Meanwhile, his presence at such events aims to show that, despite his frailty, Raúl Castro remains a symbolic pillar of the Cuban system.