Cuba ex-President Raúl Castro makes first appearance since US charges to celebrate birthday

Raúl Castro, Cuba’s former president, made a public appearance at a birthday celebration attended by officials and military leaders, days after being indicted by the United States for the 1996 downing of civilian aircraft. The event, held at the Ministry of Interior in Havana, was framed as a display of Cuban unity and defiance against U.S. pressure, with President Miguel Diáz-Canel praising Castro’s legacy.