Key facts
- Raul Castro appeared on state television at an Interior Ministry celebration in Havana.
- This is his first public appearance since his indictment on murder charges in the US last month.
- The Trump administration accused him of ordering the 1996 shootdown of planes operated by Cuban exiles.
Cuba's former leader Raul Castro appeared at an Interior Ministry celebration in Havana, shown on state television on Friday. This marks his first public appearance since the Trump administration indicted him on murder charges last month. The US alleges that Castro, in his capacity as former defense minister, ordered Cuban military jets to shoot down planes operated by a group of Cuban exiles in 1996. Castro, who turned 95 on Wednesday, was last seen in public a month ago during May 1 festivities in Havana, just prior to his indictment. He had previously not been seen since January 15, when he appeared in a public ceremony in the capital paying homage to the 32 Cuban soldiers killed during the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.