Fidel Castro votes, chats in Cuban election

[Judi Lynn]

3. Fidel Castro appears at Cuban polling station

Fidel Castro appears at Cuban polling station

Rare prolonged public appearance for retired leader as he casts ballot in Havana for election of national assembly

Reuters in Havana
guardian.co.uk, Monday 4 February 2013 00.51 EST

The retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro has made his longest public appearance since 2010, turning up to vote in the general election and chatting with wellwishers and Cuban reporters.

Castro had voted from his home in three previous elections since falling ill in 2006 and ceding power to his brother Raul two years later. A stooped, white-bearded Castro, 86, was seen on state-run television as he cast his ballot in the late afternoon in Havana.

The announcer said Castro talked about efforts to reform the economy, Latin American integration, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and other matters.

He was heard in a weak voice praising popular participation in Sunday's election. "The people are truly revolutionary, they have really sacrificed. We don't have to prove it, history will. Fifty years of the blockade and they haven't given in," he said.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/04/fidel-castro-appears-cuban-election