HAVANA — The event marked the 65th anniversary of the Personal Security Directorate, an agency responsible for protecting Cuba's top leaders. Cuban state television aired more than 10 minutes of footage of the ceremony on Saturday night, showing Castro in his traditional olive-green military uniform.

Castro walked alongside high-ranking military officials and sat in the front row of the indoor venue. He stood up on several occasions to receive a commemorative certificate and greet attendees. His grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, accompanied him along with a bodyguard.

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro is a Cuban security official and political advisor. Talks between Rodríguez Castro and the United States have halted, and there is no public agenda or leaked details regarding those conversations.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel posted on X on Sunday morning about participating in the ceremony with Castro. "It is an honor to participate alongside Army General (Raúl Castro) in the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Personal Security Directorate. An agency with origins dating back well before September 6, 1961, to the days of the revolutionary struggle led by the Commander-in-Chief (Fidel Castro)," Díaz-Canel wrote. The post included photos from the event showing him with the former leader.

Reports prior to the appearance claimed Castro was critically ill. Diario Las Américas reported that sources on the island said Castro was in very poor condition. The Cuban government did not confirm reports of Castro's illness.

Castro missed a July rally marking the anniversary of the Cuban revolution's biggest celebration. His previous public appearance was on August 13. That event commemorated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fidel Castro.

Timeline

On August 13, 2026, Raúl Castro made his previous public appearance at an event that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fidel Castro. On September 5, 2026, the former president appeared in public at a military event marking the 65th anniversary of the Personal Security Directorate.

During the September 5 ceremony, Castro, 95, wore his traditional olive-green military uniform and walked alongside high-ranking military officials. He sat in the front row of the indoor venue and was accompanied by his bodyguard and his grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that Raúl Castro appeared at a military event on September 6, 2026, marking his first public appearance since he was hospitalized for what was reportedly a serious illness. Reports circulated in recent days that Castro was critically ill or hospitalized, though the Cuban government did not confirm these reports.

Federal prosecutors allege Raúl Castro was part of the chain of command that authorized the 1996 operation while serving as Cuba’s defense minister. The August 13 event commemorated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fidel Castro.

Why It Matters

The public appearance addresses speculation about the health of a figure who, despite holding no formal position in the Cuban government or the Communist Party, remains a central symbol of the state. The event reflected the role of the Personal Security Directorate, which is responsible for protecting Cuba's top leaders and has origins dating back to the revolutionary struggle.

The timing of the appearance follows a period of absence that included missing a major July rally. The presence of President Miguel Díaz-Canel alongside Castro signals continuity in leadership visibility. Concurrently, legal proceedings in the United States continue, with murder charges filed in June alleging Castro's involvement in a 1996 operation during his tenure as defense minister.