Castro defies death rumours with visit

Cuban leader Fidel Castro has appeared in public for the first time in months, challenging persistent rumours that the ageing revolutionary is near death.

The 86-year-old leader dropped off a Venezuelan guest at the Hotel Nacional on Saturday afternoon, then stayed for about half an hour to chat with hotel staff, commercial director Yamila Fuster said.

She said: “Fidel Castro was here yesterday, he brought a guest and spoke to workers.”

The news was being released officially by the state-owned establishment.