The head of communications for Cuba's Presidency, Leticia Martínez Hernández, has expressed jubilant satisfaction over the reappearance of Raúl Castro, following days of speculation about his death or serious health decline. She used the opportunity to criticize Miami-based media outlets.
"Miami media has been claiming for a week that Raúl is dead, or at best, gravely ill. They've even cited supposed close sources to the Army General," Martínez wrote on the social media platform X.
"They never learn after all these years. Raúl shows up again, and their party is over," she concluded.
Raúl Castro's Public Appearance Dispels Death Rumors
Castro's attendance at the event celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Personal Security Directorate dispelled at least one mystery: the rumors of his demise were untrue.
For the Cuban regime's propaganda machine, however, the appearance of a 95-year-old leader alive before the cameras is still portrayed as a political victory.
A Recurring Cycle of Rumors and Denials
The phrase "they never learn after all these years," used by Martínez, highlights a cycle that has repeated over time. Speculation about Castro's death or health issues has emerged numerous times, often followed by a public reappearance to discredit those circulating the unverified claims.
In September 2024, a fake news story about his death went viral, using CiberCuba’s visual identity without permission. The outlet had to clarify they hadn't published such information. A year later, in September 2025, a Facebook profile disseminated a fabricated story of Castro's hospitalization, which eventually turned into a false death report. The author later admitted to making it up.
The regime countered with a coordinated social media campaign using slogans like "Raúl is Raúl" and "Still Here," sharing images of Castro as a "firm, present, and combative" leader.
The Secrecy Surrounding Raúl Castro's Health
Speculations about Castro don't exist in a void. His public appearances have decreased significantly. In April of this year, Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged that Castro is retired "for health reasons" and described him as "frail due to his advanced age."
At Fidel Castro's centenary celebration in August, Raúl appeared at the Karl Marx Theater, but official images showed him mostly from afar and in shadow. He didn't speak, and there were no close-ups to clearly assess his physical state.
The regime continues to treat the health of its historical leaders as a state secret, creating fertile ground for rumors to flourish.
Propaganda and the Myth of the Eternal Raúl
The insistence on Castro's appearances has political undertones. Despite formally relinquishing his main roles, the regime still uses him as a symbol of authority and continuity.
Each appearance needs to demonstrate more than just his presence. Castro is depicted as the "invincible guerrilla," the man "ready for battle," and now, the elder statesman whose reappearance supposedly spoils a party in Miami.
The regime's official narrative seems unable to present the simple reality: Raúl Castro is a 95-year-old man with acknowledged health issues, appearing less frequently.
A Celebration Amidst Crisis
The issue with the message isn't about refuting fake news but rather turning the physical survival of a leader into a political victory while the country faces one of its worst crises in recent history.
As Martínez Hernández celebrates that the Miami media's "party" is over, millions of Cubans are more concerned with everyday survival—wondering what they will eat tomorrow, when electricity will return, or how to afford basic necessities like water and medicine.
CiberCuba has documented testimonies from Cubans struggling without water due to power outages and others for whom food has become a luxury amid skyrocketing prices and frequent blackouts.
This is the reality faced by a nation where the head of communications finds reason to rejoice over a 95-year-old man's camera appearance.
The Inevitable End
While Martínez can celebrate that rumors about Castro's death were false, the reality remains: no propaganda can escape the passage of time.
Each reappearance may debunk a rumor, but none can conquer time. Eventually, the Presidency will have to announce the very news that its communications head now revels in denying, because that is simply human nature.
Understanding Raúl Castro's Impact and Health
Why is Raúl Castro's health such a closely guarded secret?
The Cuban regime keeps Raúl Castro's health details secret to maintain a facade of strength and continuity, using his appearances as political statements.
How do rumors about Raúl Castro's death impact Cuban politics?
Rumors about Castro's death are used by the regime to discredit opposition and reinforce its narrative of resilience and authority.