Cubans pay tribute to late defense minister

HAVANA — Thousands of Cubans, including President Raul Castro, are paying tribute to late Defense Minister Julio Casas following his death Saturday from heart failure.

Casas ran the military’s lucrative economic enterprises for two decades before becoming defense minister. He also fought in the revolution alongside Raul, and took part in Cuban military interventions in Africa.

Cuban state media carried footage of a ceremony attended by Castro, members of Casas’ family and Communist Party leaders, who lined up to lay flowers in a basket placed in front of a large photograph of Casas, who was 75.

Fidel Castro has not been seen in public since April and did not attend, but state television says he sent a floral offering.