In spite of his prolific writing and recent reports that he’s on the mend, Cuban president Fidel Castro once again missed one of his nation’s most important events. Revelers at the celebration commemorating the July 26th assault on the Moncada barracks in 1953 was instead led by the other Castro, brother Raul.

The expectations of a public reappearance by the Cuban leader had ostensibly lessened the night before, when press officially announced that it would be Raul Castro who would lead give the keynote speech for event, which is the island’s main revolutionary event.

Venezuela’s El Universal reports that it was precisely one year before when Fidel made his last public appearance at the very same event, and had surgery the next day.

Via / El Universal