Story highlights Castro stepped down from power in 2006

He led a band of guerrillas who overthrew the island nation's dictatorship in 1959

Havana, Cuba (CNN) Amid recent rumors of ill health or even possible death, Cuban state media has released 21 photos of former leader Fidel Castro.

The photo spread appeared late Monday in the online version of Cuba's state-run newspaper, Granma.

In the pictures, the 88-year-old Castro and his wife Dalia Soto del Valle are shown with the leader of the student association of the University of Havana, Randy Perdomo Garcia. The two men are shown seated, looking at a newspaper and watching TV.

The photos are accompanied by an article written by Perdomo recounting his time with the former leader during the reported January 23 meeting. According to Granma, the photos were published because "Cuba is anxious to know about him."

These are the first photos of Castro to appear publicly since August.

Read More