After a gap of nine months, Fidel Castro, the former president of Cuba, made his first public appearance on 9 January at an art event in Havana.
The occasion was the opening of a non-profit art studio in the Romerillo neighborhood of Havana. Castro was accompanied by his wife Dalia Soto, reported the Cuban state media source Cubadebate.
In a video broadcast on the Cuban state television, the contents of which is in Spanish, Castro is shown being greeted by the director of the art studio Alexis Leyva and other artists. Castro looked frail and reportedly needed assistance in walking. However, there is no further information on his health.
Castro, 87, led Cuba for 48 years before handing down the power to his brother Raul Castro due to failing health. The reason was suspected to be cancer and even brain related issues. However, there has been no confirmation on it from the Cuban authorities.
Later even after the Cuban government informed that Castro has made a full recovery from the unconfirmed health issue, the former President never resumed power.
The last time Castro was seen publicly was in April 2013, when he attended the opening of a Havana school. The stooped, snow white bearded Castro, who now leads a retired life, often has complained of bad knee and weak eyesight.
The public eye has been keenly following the former Cuban president and revolutionary. Often internet has found itself a new trending topic, speculating him of being dead. Last year saw several such fake death reports of Castro. Twitter has often seen a tsunami of rumours that Castro was on his deathbed, and that he had suffered severe brain damage.
The questions about the health of Castro - the "El Caballo (The Horse)" - once again resurfaced when there was nothing heard from the leader over the death of his close friend Nelson Mandela.
His reappearance in public on Wednesday will certainly quell some of the doubts.
