Cuba’s Fidel Castro Seen In Public For First Time In 9 Months

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban news media say former President Fidel Castro has appeared in public for the first time since April.

The Communist Party newspaper Granma reports that the 87-year-old Castro appeared Wednesday night at the opening of a Havana art studio.

The official website Cubadebate carries a photo of the event on Thursday, though it does not show his face. A seated, gray-haired Castro is shown from behind, pointing at a work of art while artist Alexis Leyva leans in to talk with him.

It's the first public appearance by Castro since he attended the inauguration of Havana school on April 9.

Castro led Cuba for 48 years before falling gravely ill in July 2006 and handing over power to his brother Raul, who formally became president in January 2008.

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