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"Former Cuban president Raul Castro made his first public appearance since being charged by the United States over the 1996 downing of two American planes, attending an official event in Havana on Friday to mark his 95th birthday and the 65th anniversary of the Ministry of the Interior. Footage shows President Miguel Diaz-Canel embracing Castro in front of the audience at the Karl Marx theatre, prompting a wave of applause as a form of recognition. "Raul reaches his 95 [years] accompanying us and guiding us with his proverbial wisdom, which is a fortune that all revolutionaries celebrate and appreciate today and every day," expressed the Cuban leader. He also noted that the former president asked him to convey "his infinite gratitude for the countless and emotional displays of solidarity" received in recent days, both from Cuba and abroad, in reference to the accusations announced by Washington and his birthday. In this regard, Diaz-Canel rejected the accusations from the United States and defended the figure and trajectory of the former leader. "Raul is Raul, says the people in all the tribunes. [...] Raul is Cuba and Cuba is untouchable," he added, emphasising what he considered the historical and moral significance of the former ruler. In addition to condemning the accusations against Raul Castro, Diaz-Canel also criticised Washington for the "genocide in the form of an energy blockade that seeks to suffocate the country," which, he argued, aims to provoke a humanitarian crisis. "The United States government commits an act of genocide that imposes terrible limitations on the daily life of our people. It cannot be called anything other than a crime against humanity. The perverse way in which the United States executes against Cuba a plan aimed at provoking a humanitarian crisis throughout the nation," he asserted. The president also stated that recent restrictions and actions against companies linked to the GAE business conglomerate are part of an economic pressure strategy. "The attack on GAE is not coincidental," he said, assuring that these companies have contributed to the country's socioeconomic development. The Cuban leader's remarks come after the US formally announced the indictment against Raul Castro on May 20. The Department of Justice filed charges for four murders and conspiracy to kill American citizens in connection with the downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes in February 1996."
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