Cuba is set to break with tradition and not hold official celebrations to mark the birthday of its 81-year-old president, Fidel Castro.
There were fireworks at midnight in the Cuban capital Havana to mark the occasion but nothing else has been planned.
Mr. Castro has not been seen in public for over a year after having emergency surgery and power has been temporarily transferred to his brother, Raul.
For Mr. Castro's last birthday there were candle-light vigils and mass demonstrations of affection for the convalescing leader.
There have been no pictures of him recuperating for more than two months now.
The last ones showed he had put on weight though he was visibly fragile and had a weak voice.
His present condition and whereabouts remain a state secret.
But the man who has ruled this communist state since he led the revolution almost half a century ago continues to make his presence felt through regular newspaper editorials.
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