2006–08 Cuban transfer of presidential duties

Cuban President Raul Castro has pledged to uphold his brother Fidel's socialist revolution at a massive rally in honor of the communist icon before his burial.

Tens of thousands of flag-waving supporters recited the oath on Nov. 3 with Raul Castro at the Revolution Plaza of Santiago de Cuba, the cradle of Fidel's guerrilla struggle.

Pope Francis met on Sept.20 with Fidel and Raul Castro, the brothers who have ruled Cuba since its 1959 revolution, after celebrating an outdoor mass attended by hundreds of thousands.

Retired Cuban President Fidel Castro celebrated his 89th birthday on August 13 with two of his country's closest leftist allies from Latin America, a day ahead of a historic visit by the U.S. secretary of state. 

US and Cuban negotiators will be meeting next week to discuss the possible reopening of US and Cuban embassies in both countries, according to the US State Department.

Talks will take place on the 21st of May in Washington. The meeting will discuss the measures and steps to be taken for such a reopening.

Cuban state media late Feb. 2 released the first photographs of former president Fidel Castro in nearly six months in a bid to quiet rumors that his health is failing.
 

Fidel Castro does not "trust the US, nor have I spoken with them," the revolutionary icon, 88, said in a letter attributed to him and read out on state television on Jan. 26.