Fidel Castro has 1st public appearance in 9 months

In this Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 photo released by the state media Cubadebate website, Cuban leader Fidel Castro, right, talks with Spanish journalist, writer and former editor-in-chief of Le Monde diplomatique, Ignacio Ramonet in Havana, Cuba. AP

HAVANA — Former President Fidel Castro made his first public appearance in nine months, attending the opening of an art studio in the Cuban capital.

Official newspapers and websites on Thursday carried a photo showing a seated, gray-haired Castro from behind, pointing at a work of art while artist Alexis Leyva leans in to talk to him at the Wednesday night event.

Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia published three more pictures on its website that showed Castro’s face. Wearing a black jacket and green scarf on a cool Havana evening, Castro reaches out to touch a sculpture in one of the images.

Castro last appeared in public on April 9, 2013, when he attended the inauguration of Havana school.

In December he met privately with visiting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a key ally of Cuba.

Castro, 87, 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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