Cuba Honors Raúl Castro on 95th Birthday Amid U.S. Legal Battle

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Havana: Raúl Castro, former Cuban leader, celebrated his 95th birthday on Wednesday, getting recognition from Cuba's leadership while facing a recent US investigation for the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by the exile organization Brothers to the Rescue.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel applauded Castro for his decades of service, calling him as a key figure in Cuba's revolutionary history and a source of guidance for the nation. State media and authorities marked the event with messages praising his political legacy.

The birthday celebration occurred a few days after Castro was charged by U.S. authorities for allegedly being involved in the 1996 downing of two planes that killed four people. Although Castro has stayed in Cuba and there is no sign that he intends to leave the island, the United States has stated that it will pursue his surrender.

Castro, who took over as leader of Cuba in 2008 from his brother Fidel Castro, officially resigned from politics in 2021 following decades as the head of the communist government. Even after stepping down, he continues to be regarded as one of Cuba's most powerful politicians.

Photo Courtsey: Reuters