Cuban State Media Releases New Pictures Of Fidel Castro
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - New pictures of Fidel Castro have been released.
These are the first new pictures of the former Cuban leader since last August.
Late Monday night, the communist newspaper Granma released nearly two a photos of Castro, 88, and a student they claim were taken on January 23rd. The pictures were accompanied by an article entitled "More Than Three Hours With Fidel" which was reportedly written by Randy Perdomo Garcia, leader of the student association of the University of Havana. Also in the pictures was Castro's wife Dalia Soto del Valle.
The visit reportedly took place after Castro wrote a letter to Garcia endorsing his brother Raul's move toward formalizing relations with the United States. In the pictures, a smiling Castro is wearing a blue track suit, his wife by his side, sitting in what appears to be a wheelchair.
The pictures stirred up emotions for those stopping by the Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana.
"They play with people's minds, everybody has a dream of going back to the island of what it used to be," said Gilberto Perea.
Some at the popular Cuban restaurant doubted the authenticity of the phoes.
"I think they're probably lies, he might be dead by now," said John Gonzalez.
"It could be propaganda, it could be a lot of things, like I've said he's had so many doubles," said Perea.
"Okay give me proof, bring him to the television, that's what I want to see," said Miguel Saavedra Vigilia Mambisa.
Castro has not been seen publicly since January 8, 2014 raising speculation over his health. The pictures and article were meant to quiet rumors of his poor health. Granma said it released the images "because all of Cuba is impatient to know Castro is alive and well".
Juan Tamayo, former El Nuevo Herald Cuba correspondent told CBS4's Natalia Zea it is unusual that the Cuban government waited until three weeks after the rumor of Castro's death to put out this proof he is still alive. And he says Castro looks more disheveled than in previous pictures.
"All of that indicates to me that he did have some health issues in the last four weeks maybe, and that he has recovered somewhat from it" he said.
The pictures were released the day before Senator Marco Rubio chairs a sub-committee hearing on the change in policy between the U.S. and Cuba.