World
Disasters
No, Fidel Castro’s Niece Wasn’t on the Algerian Plane

No, Fidel Castro’s Niece Wasn’t on the Algerian Plane

1 minute read

Mariela Castro, director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education and daughter of Cuba's President Raul Castro, gives a press conference in Havana, Cuba on May 5, 2014.Franklin Reyes—AP

July 24, 2014 12:59 PM EDT

Multiple news outlets reported Thursday that Cuban President Raul Castro’s daughter—Fidel Castro’s niece—was on the Air Algérie flight that disappeared earlier in the day, citing information from the airport in Burkina Faso. Mariela Castro, a sexologist and gay rights activist, is the director of Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education.

But she wasn’t on the flight.

“I’m at a meeting, happy and healthy,” she told the television network TeleSUR. “I’m alive and kicking.”

NBC's Mary Murray in Havana reports she has personally seen Raul Castro's daughter Mariela this morning. She is NOT on #AirAlgerie
— Tom Costello (@tomcostellonbc) July 24, 2014

The Facebook post which appeared to have first reported the news was later deleted.

More Must-Reads from TIME

Cybersecurity Experts Are Sounding the Alarm on DOGE
Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion
Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
Michelle Zauner Stares Down the Darkness

Write to Noah Rayman at noah.rayman@time.com