Castro ceded power to his brother Raul when he fell ill three years ago and has not been seen in public since. He stepped down as president in February 2008 and has published scores of essays, titled “Reflections,” in state newspapers. Friday’s essay criticised a recent summit of the heads of state from Canada, Mexico and the United States for failing to resolve questions surrounding Mexican immigration to the United States and Canada’s decision to impose new visa requirements on Mexicans wanting to visit those countries.
Cuba’s Communist Party newspaper, Granma, published congratulatory letters to Castro from three convicted Cuban spies serving time in US prisons. “We will never stop being the proud heirs of your work,” the headline read. The government organised no official events, but Communist youth groups sang “Happy Birthday” at rallies across the island.
On Thursday, Cuba unveiled a recent photograph of Castro, showing him looking healthier than in other pictures since he underwent surgery.
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