Cuba publishes first photos of Fidel Castro in nearly 6 months

HAVANA, Cuba (UPDATED) – Cuban state media released the first photographs of former president Fidel Castro to be published in nearly 6 months late Monday, February 2, in a bid to quiet rumors that his health is failing.

The images showed the 88-year-old Castro at his home along with his wife Dalia during a meeting with the leader of a students’ union, and were published in the state-run newspaper Granma and other official media.

#fidel es un fuera de serie (Más Fotos) #Cuba http://t.co/zrfbJnXLi9 pic.twitter.com/HX4XB9vW5y

— Periódico Granma (@Granma_Digital) February 3, 2015

The article accompanying the photos said the meeting took place January 23.

The images come after weeks of feverish speculation concerning the Cuban revolutionary leader’s medical condition after he appeared to disappear from the public eye. 

The last time he was seen in public was January 8, 2014, when he attended an art gallery opening near his home.

Swirling rumors of Castro’s demise have cropped up often since he stepped down from office during a health crisis in 2006.

Raul Castro, the longtime armed forces chief, took his brother’s place at Cuba’s helm. – Rappler.com