Cuban revolutionary leader and ex-president Fidel Castro has died at the age of 90.
An icon for some, a controversial dictator for others, he survived what he said were countless US assassination attempts, but it was illness which forced him out of power in 2006 and ceded the presidency to his brother.
It was Raul Castro who announced his passing on TV saying:
“Dear people of Cuba, with deep sorrow I stand before you to announce to our people, to our friends of America and the world that today, Novembre 25th 2016, at 10.29pm the commander in chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, died. To respect the will of the companion Fidel his remains will be incinerated in the first hours of saturday 26th.”
World leaders react
Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2016
Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro said he had spoken with Raul to convey his solidarity with the people of Cuba.
Acabo de hablar con el Presidente RaúlCastro para transmitir la Solidaridad y Amor al PueblodeCuba ante la partida del ComandanteFidelCastro— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) November 26, 2016
Reactions in Miami
Police have shut down the block in front of VersaillesMiami as Little Havana celebrates #FidelCastro's death MiamiHerald pic.twitter.com/9bw2o71Xmn— Carlos Frías (@Carlos_Frias) November 26, 2016
