At the age of 94, Raúl Castro was seen presiding over the main event for International Workers' Day this Friday at the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribune, positioned directly across from the United States Embassy on Havana's Malecón. This marked his first public appearance in five months, with his noticeably weakened physical condition drawing significant attention.
Wearing his olive green military uniform adorned with decorations, the army general was accompanied by President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other prominent regime figures like Lis Cuesta, Bruno Rodríguez, and Roberto Morales Ojeda. The authorities claimed the attendance of over half a million people at the event.
Castro's last public appearance was recorded on December 2, 2025, during the final session of the National Assembly, where he was described as "frail and struggling to walk."
Previously, on August 13, 2025, during the event marking Fidel Castro's 99th birthday in Birán, he was already noted for being "visibly frail" and required assistance to move, as televised images revealed.
Rumors About Castro's Health
In March 2026, Castro was notably absent from the 9th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, where Díaz-Canel was reaffirmed as the first secretary, fueling further speculation regarding Castro's health.
In an April 2026 interview with Telesur, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that Raúl Castro is "alive but retired due to health reasons" and is "frail due to his advanced age."
A Strategic Display of Leadership
Despite these concerns, the regime presented Castro on Friday as the "leader of the Revolution" and a central figure at the event. The official account of the Cuban Presidency tweeted: "In the year of Fidel's Centenary, alongside the Army General and Cuban Revolution leader, Raúl Castro Ruz, the Party, the Government, and mass organizations lead the acts."
This year's event was relocated from the Plaza de la Revolución to the Anti-Imperialist Tribune — inaugurated in 2000 during the Elián González case — under the slogan "The Homeland is Defended," coinciding with the "Year of Preparation for Defense" declared by the Cuban government.
Response to External Threats
The rally was a response to statements made by President Donald Trump on March 28, 2026, in Miami, where he asserted that "sometimes military force is necessary and Cuba is next."
On the eve of the event, children were taken from schools in San Miguel del Padrón and Santiago de Cuba to participate in preliminary marches, and independent journalist Ángel Cuza was arrested in front of his daughter on April 30.
Workers from 15 unions marched at dawn from four different points in Havana: 23 and 2, Avenida Salvador Allende and Infanta, Parque Antonio Maceo, and Prado-Malecón.
In April, Castro also sent a letter to Eastern Army military personnel with messages of resistance, one of his few signs of activity prior to this reappearance.
Previously, the regime successfully showcased Castro in an official capacity in October 2025, when he led a meeting at the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, amidst ongoing rumors about his health that Díaz-Canel has struggled to fully dismiss.
Insight into Raúl Castro's Health and Public Appearances
How often does Raúl Castro appear in public?
Raúl Castro's public appearances have become increasingly rare, with significant gaps between each event. His latest appearance was the first in five months.
What are the reasons for Raúl Castro's health concerns?
Concerns about Raúl Castro's health primarily stem from his advanced age of 94 years, leading to visible frailty and reports of his struggles with mobility.
What was the significance of the May Day event in Havana?
The May Day event is a key occasion for the Cuban government to display unity and leadership, particularly in response to perceived external threats and internal challenges.