July 26 is Cuba's "National Insurrection Day". According to The Associated Press, the 95-year-old Cuban revolutionary leader Raul Castro is "obviously absent" from this traditional event, which is his first absence in at least 30 years.
The Cuban government did not provide any explanations for this, but Cuban President Diaz-Canel read out a message from Raul Castro during a celebration held in Pinar del Río.
On July 26, 1953, Fidel Castro, a former leader of Cuba, led more than 100 young people to the Moncada Barracks, the second-largest military stronghold of the Batista dictatorship in Cuba at that time. This marked the beginning of the Cuban revolution aimed at overthrowing the pro-American dictatorship. Therefore, “July 26 National Uprising Day” has become one of the most important commemorative days in Cuba.
Raul Castro last made an public appearance in June of this year at an event organized by the Cuban Ministry of Interior. Previously, he also attended the celebration of International Labor Day on May 1st.
Although Raul Castro no longer holds any official positions, his symbolic importance remains significant. Diáz-Carneil stated in March this year that Raul Castro was involved in negotiations between Cuba and the United States.
In May of this year, Raul Castro was indicted in the United States. The U.S. federal prosecution charged Raul Castro and others with crimes such as murder of four people and destruction of aircraft during the incident involving the downing of a flight by Cuban exile pilots in 1996. At the time of this incident, Raul Castro served as the head of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces.
This lawsuit is considered part of the United States' measures to exert pressure on Cuba.
