arts
Cuba ex-President Raúl Castro makes first appearance since US charges to celebrate birthday
By Litzy Grijalba at WSVN 7 News
· June 6, 2026
· 2 min read
HAVANA (AP) — Raúl Castro, Cuba’s low-profile former president and revolutionary guerilla, appeared in public for the first time since being indicted by the United States for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft, official video released Saturday showed. Castro’s celebration
Key takeaway He praised Raúl Castro, who served as defense minister of Cuba for nearly 50 years, for his “courage and loyalty (that) made him a target from a very early age for the intelligence services of our enemies.
Why this matters in The Miami
For Miami's large Cuban-American community, Raúl Castro's public appearance and the Cuban government's defiant stance will likely be met with a mix of emotions. Many in Miami have family ties to Cuba and are deeply invested in the island's politics. The indictment of Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft, which were flown by Miami-based exiles, will resonate particularly strongly. The fact that Castro's celebration was used as an opportunity to project defiance against the US will be seen by some as a provocation. Meanwhile, others will view Castro's appearance as a symbol of Cuban resilience. As the situation unfolds, Miami will be watching closely, given its historical and cultural ties to Cuba. The city's Cuban-American community will be paying attention to how the US responds to Castro's public appearance and the Cuban government's warnings of a "decisive and resolute battle" if the US acts on its threats.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: June 6, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? HAVANA (AP) — Raúl Castro, Cuba’s low-profile former president and revolutionary guerilla, appeared in public for the first time since being indicted by the United States for his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft, official video released Saturday showed. Castro’s celebration
When was this published? This article was first published on June 6, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Litzy Grijalba at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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