The absence of Raúl Castro at the tribute ceremony for Cuban soldiers who died in Venezuela has once again fueled speculation about his health and possible permanent withdrawal from public life.
The event, held on Tuesday at the Venezuelan embassy in Havana, saw the attendance of key figures of the regime, including Miguel Díaz-Canel, Manuel Marrero, Bruno Rodríguez, and Esteban Lazo, among other top officials. Notably, the 94-year-old historical leader was missing.
The National Television News (NTV) partially broadcast the ceremony, showing high-ranking officials signing a book of condolences; however, the nonagenarian general was neither present nor mentioned among the attendees.
No message or letter was read on his behalf, a detail that caught the attention of even those within political circles close to the regime.
Since the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3rd, Castro has not made any public appearances or statements.
The last known image of Castro dates back to December 2, 2025, during the commemoration of the Granma landing anniversary and the founding of the Armed Forces, where he appeared frail and had difficulty walking.
Since then, the general who once held the reins of power on the island after his brother's death seems to have vanished from the scene... with "one foot in the stirrup."
The absence of the general at such a diplomatically significant military event has been interpreted as a sign that his direct influence has dwindled to a minimum.
In contrast, Díaz-Canel has been striving to project an image of continuity and strength, reaffirming his loyalty to the legacy of Fidel and Chávez during the signing of the condolences book.
As Havana attempts to manage the political fallout from the collapse of Chavismo in Caracas, Raúl Castro's silence indicates the definitive twilight of the military patriarch and a real power vacuum, leaving the regime at its most vulnerable in decades.
The Impact of Raúl Castro's Absence
What has Raúl Castro's absence at recent events suggested?
Raúl Castro's absence suggests a decline in his direct influence and raises questions about his health and possible retirement from public life.
How has Díaz-Canel responded to Raúl Castro's absence?
Díaz-Canel has been working to project an image of continuity and strength, reaffirming his commitment to the legacy of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez.