Fidel Castro gave tentative support to restoring diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Cuba in a message published Monday night.
"I do not trust U.S. politics nor have I exchanged words with them ... but this does not mean a rejection of a peaceful solution of conflict or the dangers of war," Castro said in the message, which was published to the state news agency's website.
The longtime Cuban leader and former president had been quiet on the matter since the U.S. and Cuba agreed to re-establish diplomatic ties last month after decades of hostility. The deal was approved by Cuba's current president, his brother Raul Castro.
In Monday's message, part of a longer address to university students, Fidel Castro said his brother had taken appropriate steps.
"To defend peace is a duty of all," the message said.
Public appearances by Castro have been rare since he stepped down from power in 2011. He was last seen in photographs more than a year ago, prompting some to question if he died. Earlier this month, he sent a letter to retired soccer star Diego Maradona to say he was still alive, Reuters reported.
"We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all peoples of the world, including our political adversaries," Castro wrote on Monday.