I think its the same person. Picture one as taken several years before picture two.
If Castro was still alive or not in a coma, they would have him holding a copy of today's New York Times with the print very readable (date).
Didn't Castro make a live appearance today with Raul? It was on Fox. So he ain't dead.
I have compared photos taken this July with this newly released one at --
Sticky Notes with some explanation.
Especially this one