Photo provided by Cubadebate shows Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro (C), alongside Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R), enjoying a gala in honor of his 90th birthday at the Karl Marx Theater in Havana, capital of Cuba, on Aug. 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate)
Cuba's revolutionary leader and former President Fidel Castro celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday, receiving good wishes from his people and the world.
CASTRO THANKS CUBA, CRITICIZES U.S.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude for the show of respect, greetings and praise that I've received in recent days which give me strength to reciprocate through ideas," wrote Castro in an article titled "The Birthday" published by Cuban official media.
In the article, the former head of Cuba reminisced about his childhood and youth on a family plantation in eastern Cuba, his father's death and the revolution he led that overthrew U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.
Castro also wrote about the importance of preserving peace, saying "no power has the right to kill millions of people," which was regarded as apparent criticism of his old foe, the United States.
He mentioned China and Russia as "great powers that cannot be subjected to threats of deploying nuclear weapons."
Recalling his half-a-century confrontation with the United States, the leader wrote in the article: "I almost laughed at the Machiavellian plans of U.S. presidents."
According to Cuban intelligence agencies, the revolutionary leader faced more than 600 plots, including assassination attempts, from his foes since he took power in 1959 after the Cuban revolution till his retirement in 2008.
NATIONWIDE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
To commemorate his birthday, cultural and recreational activities are being held throughout the country.
A gala in honor of the birthday was held Saturday evening at the Karl Marx theater in Havana. Castro made a rare public appearance but did not give a speech.
Dressed in a white Puma tracksuit and green shirt, the old Cuban leader was accompanied by his brother, President Raul Castro, and his regional ally Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Over 5,000 spectators attended the gala broadcast live on television and gave him a standing ovation, chanting "Fidel, Fidel, Fidel" and "Congratulations, father."
