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Fidel Castro, Cuba's leader of revolution, dies at 90 Fidel Castro, Cuba's leader of revolution, dies at 90
(about 1 hour later)
Fidel Castro, Cuba's former president and leader of the Communist revolution, has died aged 90, his brother has said. Cuba's former president Fidel Castro, one of the world's longest-serving and most iconic leaders, has died aged 90.
"The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours this evening (03:29 GMT Saturday)," President Raul Castro said. His younger brother and successor as president Raul Castro announced the news on state television.
Fidel Castro ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost 50 years before Raul took over in 2008. Castro toppled the government in 1959, introducing a Communist revolution. He defied the US for decades, surviving many assassination plots.
His supporters said he had given Cuba back to the people. But he was also accused of suppressing opposition. His supporters said he had given Cuba back to the people. Critics saw him as a dictator.
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Obituary: Fidel CastroObituary: Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro: A life in picturesFidel Castro: A life in pictures
Fidel: The world iconFidel: The world icon
Ashen and grave, President Castro told the nation in an unexpected late night broadcast on state television that Fidel Castro had died and would be cremated later on Saturday.Ashen and grave, President Castro told the nation in an unexpected late night broadcast on state television that Fidel Castro had died and would be cremated later on Saturday.
There would now be several days of national mourning on the island. "The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours this evening (03:29 GMT Saturday)," he said.
There is to be several days of national mourning on the island.
Raul Castro ended the announcement by shouting the revolutionary slogan: "Towards victory, always!"Raul Castro ended the announcement by shouting the revolutionary slogan: "Towards victory, always!"
Barring the occasional newspaper column, Fidel Castro had essentially been retired from political life for some time, the BBC's Will Grant in Havana reports. Barring the occasional newspaper column, Fidel Castro had essentially been retired from political life for several years.
In April, Fidel Castro gave a rare speech on the final day of the country's Communist Party congress.In April, Fidel Castro gave a rare speech on the final day of the country's Communist Party congress.
He acknowledged his advanced age but said Cuban communist concepts were still valid and the Cuban people "will be victorious".
"I'll soon be 90," the former president said, adding that this was "something I'd never imagined"."I'll soon be 90," the former president said, adding that this was "something I'd never imagined".
"Soon I'll be like all the others, "to all our turn must come," Fidel Castro said."Soon I'll be like all the others, "to all our turn must come," Fidel Castro said.
Castro - who had survived many assassination plots - was the longest serving non-royal leader of the 20th Century. Castro was the longest serving non-royal leader of the 20th Century.
Castro temporarily handed over power to his brother in 2006 as he was recovering from an acute intestinal ailment. He temporarily handed over power to his brother in 2006 as he was recovering from an acute intestinal ailment. Raul Castro officially became president two years later.
Raul Castro officially became president two years later. News of his death left some in Havana stunned.
"I always said it couldn't be," said one woman, a government employee. "Even though they said it now, I say it can't be."
Fidel Castro's key datesFidel Castro's key dates
Cuba's revolutionary leaderCuba's revolutionary leader
How he defied the US
Throughout the Cold War, Fidel Castro was a thorn in Washington's side.Throughout the Cold War, Fidel Castro was a thorn in Washington's side.
An accomplished tactician on the battlefield, he and his small army of guerrillas overthrew the military leader Fulgencio Batista in 1959 to widespread popular support.An accomplished tactician on the battlefield, he and his small army of guerrillas overthrew the military leader Fulgencio Batista in 1959 to widespread popular support.
Within two years of taking power, he declared the revolution to be Marxist-Leninist in nature and allied the island nation firmly to the Soviet Union.Within two years of taking power, he declared the revolution to be Marxist-Leninist in nature and allied the island nation firmly to the Soviet Union.
Yet, despite the constant threat of a US invasion as well as the long-standing economic embargo on the island, Castro managed to maintain a communist revolution in a nation just 90 miles (145km) off the coast of Florida.Yet, despite the constant threat of a US invasion as well as the long-standing economic embargo on the island, Castro managed to maintain a communist revolution in a nation just 90 miles (145km) off the coast of Florida.
Despised by his critics as much as he was revered by his followers, he outlasted 10 US presidents and defied scores of attempts on his life by the CIA. Despised by his critics as much as he was revered by his followers, he outlasted 10 US presidents and survived scores of attempts on his life by the CIA.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Castro "one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century" saying his country mourned his loss. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Castro was a "great friend" of Mexico. How has the world reacted?
Latin American leaders have been quick to pay tribute.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Castro was a "great friend" of Mexico, while to Ecuador's President Salvador Sanchez Ceren he was an "eternal companion".
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said "revolutionaries of the world must follow his legacy".
The former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said: "Fidel stood up and strengthened his country during the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal pressure on him".
But in Miami, where there is a large Cuban community, there have been celebrations in some parts of the city.But in Miami, where there is a large Cuban community, there have been celebrations in some parts of the city.
A Cuban exile group, the Cuban Democratic Directorate, said Castro left "legacy of intolerance" and had set up a "vicious totalitarian regime".
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