Cuban ex-leader Fidel Castro makes rare public appearance

HAVANA, April 4 (UPI) -- Cuba's former president Fidel Castro made a rare public appearance Monday, the state-run media reported.

Granma reported Saturday Castro met this week with a delegation from Venezuela that had been invited to the communist country. The 88-year-old leader is seen in pictures sitting in a vehicle, reaching out the window to shake hands with supporters. He's wearing a dark track suit and black baseball cap.

Granma, which published four images of Castro, said the "chance meeting" with members of a Venezuelan "Solidarity with Cuba" delegation happened Monday at Vilma Espin School, an education complex named after Castro's wife who died in 2007.

"The Commander ... decided to come to school, and once there spoke with the director of the center and the organizers of the visit," Granma said.

In February, the Cuban government released photos of Castro speaking with the head of the Federation of University Students. Castro stepped down in 2008, citing health problems.