Fidel Castro makes rare public appearance at Cuban Communist Party congress

Fidel Castro sits as he clasps hands with his brother, Cuban President Raul Castro, right, and second secretary of the Central Committee, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, moments before the playing of the Communist party hymn during the closing ceremonies of the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Fidel Castro, left, clasps hands with his brother, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, as they sing the communist party anthem during the closing ceremony for the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Fidel Castro addresses delegates on the last day of the 7th Cuban Communist Party Congress in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Fidel Castro addresses delegates on the last day of the 7th Cuban Communist Party Congress in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, as his brother President Raul Castro looks on. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Fidel Castro, left and his brother, Cuba's President Raul Castro, attend the closing ceremonies of the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party, as they national anthem is played in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Fidel Castro is applauded by his brother, Cuba's President Raul Castro, right, and the second secretary of the Central Committee, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, left, during the closing ceremonies for the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Second Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, left, embraces Fidel Castro during the last day of the 7th Cuban Communist Party Congress in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)