This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/nov/26/fidel-castro-death-cuban-leader-live-updates

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
Fidel Castro death: Cuba declares nine days of national mourning – live updates Fidel Castro death: Obama extends hand of friendship to Cuban people – live updates
(35 minutes later)
3.23pm GMT
15:23
US Senator Marco Rubio, who ran against Trump in the Republican primary, has said that history will remember Castro as an “evil, murderous dictator”.
“Fidel Castro seized power promising to bring freedom and prosperity to Cuba, but his communist regime turned it into an impoverished island prison,” Rubio, who is Cuban-American, said in a statement.
“Over six decades, millions of Cubans were forced to flee their own country, and those accused of opposing the regime were routinely jailed and even killed.”
3.11pm GMT
15:11
Barack Obama says history will judge Castro's 'enormous impact'
The White House has issued a statement by President Obama on Castro’s death, in which he extends a hand of friendship to the Cuban people and offers condolences to Castro’s family. The full statement is below.
At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him.
‎For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends - bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.
Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.
Updated
at 3.11pm GMT
2.55pm GMT
14:55
Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona has lamented the loss of a “great” man.
“They called me from Buenos Aires and it was a shock,” Maradona told reporters. “I’m terribly sad as he was like a second father.”
Maradona spent time in Cuba, where he underwent rehabilitation treatment for drug abuse. He met Castro on several occasions and expressed warm admiration for him.
Maradona first visited Cuba after the 1986 World Cup which Argentina won after he scored a handball goal during the quarter-final against England.
Castro referred to the footballer as a “great friend” while Maradona had a leg tattooed with the likeness of the then Cuban president, of whom he once said: “Along with God, he is the reason I am alive.”
Updated
at 3.18pm GMT
2.37pm GMT2.37pm GMT
14:3714:37
Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia and a close ally of the late Cuban leader, said he was “deeply saddened” at Castro’s death. He told the Latin American television network Telesur:Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia and a close ally of the late Cuban leader, said he was “deeply saddened” at Castro’s death. He told the Latin American television network Telesur:
Fidel [was] the only man in the world with so many principles and so many values. He made so much history not only for Cuba, but also for the planet. That is socialism.Fidel [was] the only man in the world with so many principles and so many values. He made so much history not only for Cuba, but also for the planet. That is socialism.
There will never again be a man or comrade like Fidel, who devoted his life, his knowledge and his struggle not only to the Cuban people but to all the people of the world.There will never again be a man or comrade like Fidel, who devoted his life, his knowledge and his struggle not only to the Cuban people but to all the people of the world.
2.26pm GMT2.26pm GMT
14:2614:26
As Cubans take to the streets of Miami, Carlos A. Gimenez, mayor of Miami-Dade county, writes of his hope for a “free and democratic Cuba”.As Cubans take to the streets of Miami, Carlos A. Gimenez, mayor of Miami-Dade county, writes of his hope for a “free and democratic Cuba”.
Early this morning, I learned of Fidel Castro's death. His passing closes a very painful chapter for Cubans on the.. pic.twitter.com/TejBEb3IGFEarly this morning, I learned of Fidel Castro's death. His passing closes a very painful chapter for Cubans on the.. pic.twitter.com/TejBEb3IGF
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.33pm GMTat 2.33pm GMT
2.23pm GMT2.23pm GMT
14:2314:23
EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker has said in a statement:EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker has said in a statement:
Fidel Castro was one of the historic figures of the past century and the embodiment of the Cuban Revolution.Fidel Castro was one of the historic figures of the past century and the embodiment of the Cuban Revolution.
With the death of Fidel Castro, the world has lost a man who was a hero for many. He changed the course of his country and his influence reached far beyond. Fidel Castro remains one of the revolutionary figures of the 20th century. His legacy will be judged by history.With the death of Fidel Castro, the world has lost a man who was a hero for many. He changed the course of his country and his influence reached far beyond. Fidel Castro remains one of the revolutionary figures of the 20th century. His legacy will be judged by history.
I convey my condolences to the Cuban President Raúl Castro and his family and to the people of Cuba.I convey my condolences to the Cuban President Raúl Castro and his family and to the people of Cuba.
With the death of #FidelCastro, the world has lost a man who was a hero for many. https://t.co/u0ULZoG8FlWith the death of #FidelCastro, the world has lost a man who was a hero for many. https://t.co/u0ULZoG8Fl
2.13pm GMT2.13pm GMT
14:1314:13
Duncan Campbell details all of the CIA’s outlandish plots to bump off the Cuban dictator, including the use of poison pills, toxic cigars and exploding molluscs. Once, he even offered to shoot himself.Duncan Campbell details all of the CIA’s outlandish plots to bump off the Cuban dictator, including the use of poison pills, toxic cigars and exploding molluscs. Once, he even offered to shoot himself.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.32pm GMTat 2.32pm GMT
1.57pm GMT1.57pm GMT
13:5713:57
The Economist concludes that Castro’s death means the island nation will now shake off any vestiges of communism.The Economist concludes that Castro’s death means the island nation will now shake off any vestiges of communism.
The transition to a post-communist Cuba will now begin in earnest https://t.co/iq7wPJOumEThe transition to a post-communist Cuba will now begin in earnest https://t.co/iq7wPJOumE
1.46pm GMT1.46pm GMT
13:4613:46
Observer columnist Nick Cohen has a pop at Jeremy Corbyn’s response to Castro’s passing:Observer columnist Nick Cohen has a pop at Jeremy Corbyn’s response to Castro’s passing:
Can anyone explain how Corbyn's praise of Castro is different from Thatcher's praise of Pinochet? Thought not.https://t.co/VGR7Q4BpoSCan anyone explain how Corbyn's praise of Castro is different from Thatcher's praise of Pinochet? Thought not.https://t.co/VGR7Q4BpoS
Absolute state of this pic.twitter.com/hTD8re5CqvAbsolute state of this pic.twitter.com/hTD8re5Cqv
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.47pm GMTat 1.47pm GMT
1.26pm GMT1.26pm GMT
13:2613:26
Pope Francis is the latest public figure to respond to the death of Fidel Castro.Pope Francis is the latest public figure to respond to the death of Fidel Castro.
The leader of the Catholic church, who met Castro when he visited Cuba last year, described it as “sad news”, adding in a message to Raul Castro: “I express to you my sentiments of grief.”The leader of the Catholic church, who met Castro when he visited Cuba last year, described it as “sad news”, adding in a message to Raul Castro: “I express to you my sentiments of grief.”
Castro, a professed atheist, was baptised as a Catholic and educated in schools run by the Jesuits, the religious order of which the pope is a member.Castro, a professed atheist, was baptised as a Catholic and educated in schools run by the Jesuits, the religious order of which the pope is a member.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.28pm GMTat 1.28pm GMT
1.09pm GMT1.09pm GMT
13:0913:09
Always first with the news, the president-elect tweets:Always first with the news, the president-elect tweets:
Fidel Castro is dead!Fidel Castro is dead!
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.10pm GMTat 1.10pm GMT
12.54pm GMT
12:54
The European Union’s foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, has hailed the historical importance of Castro and said the bloc’s relations with Cuba would continue to improve.
Mogherini said Castro was “a man of determination and an historical figure,” adding that his death came as Cuba faced “great changes” and at times of global uncertainty.
EU-Cuba relations were relaunched with an agreement on political dialogue and cooperation last spring.
Updated
at 1.15pm GMT
12.45pm GMT
12:45
British foreign office expresses condolences
The British foreign office has released a statement from the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson.
The UK expresses its condolences to the government and people of Cuba, and to the former president’s family. Fidel Castro’s death marks the end of an era for Cuba and the start of a new one for Cuba’s people.
Fidel Castro’s leadership of the 1959 Cuban Revolution marked him out as an historic if controversial figure. The UK will continue to work with the government of Cuba on a wide range of foreign policy priorities, including on human rights.
Updated
at 12.51pm GMT
12.42pm GMT
12:42
Jeremy Corbyn has visited Cuba several times and been critical of US policy towards it.
Here’s more of what he said during a visit to Oxford, where he has travelled to launch the Labour party’s national campaign day for the NHS, he said:
Fidel Castro was a massive figure in the history of the whole planet, ever since the revolution in 1959.
There are stories of his heroism while living in Mexico in exile and then the boat to Cuba, the march to Havana and the revolution in 1959.
He managed to bring good quality health services to all the people of Cuba, good quality education to all the people of Cuba and, of course, he had a foreign policy which was global, but particularly important in southern Africa in supporting Angola against the apartheid regime.
Corbyn also lauded progress the country had made in recent years in opposing the death penalty and accepting LGBT rights, as well as the mending of relations with America under Barack Obama, which he called “historic”.
History will show that Fidel was somebody who stood up for something very, very different in the Caribbean and many independent people would say how good health care and education are in Cuba compared to many other places in the world.
Addressing concerns that he was overlooking allegations that the Castro regime was involved in suppressing basic human freedoms, Corbyn said:
I have constantly raised the issues of human rights abuses everywhere in the world and if LGBT people are wrongly and badly treated and people are denied the freedom of speech, then that is wrong.
I have never shied away from raising human rights concerns in any country in the world in any circumstances and I never will.
Updated
at 12.54pm GMT
12.38pm GMT
12:38
“Sad,” says Martin McGuinness, deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, in a somewhat Trumpean manner.
#Cuba - End of an Era. #FidelCastro RIP #Sad pic.twitter.com/DRxGl2iBrA
Updated
at 12.43pm GMT
12.29pm GMT
12:29
“Fidel Castro, who has died at the age of 90, was one of the more extraordinary political figures of the 20th century” writes Richard Gott in a Guardian obituary.
“After leading a successful revolution on a Caribbean island in 1959, he became a player on the global stage, dealing on equal terms with successive leaders of the two nuclear superpowers during the cold war.
“A charismatic figure from the developing world, his influence was felt far beyond the shores of Cuba. Known as Fidel to friends and enemies alike, his life story is inevitably that of his people and their revolution. Even in old age, he still exercised a magnetic attraction wherever he went, his audience as fascinated by the dinosaur from history as they had once been by the revolutionary firebrand of earlier times.”
12.26pm GMT
12:26
Xi Jinping says Castro will 'live forever'
The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has said in a message read out on China’s main TV channel:
The Chinese people have lost a good and true comrade. Comrade Castro will live forever.
Xi added Castro was “a great man of our time” and that “history and people will remember him”. He said relations between the two communist nations grew quickly thanks to Castro’s efforts after diplomatic ties were established in 1960.
In a documentary aired shortly after Castro’s death was announced, CCTV said Fidel Castro admired Mao Zedong and “regretted not being able to get to know him”.
Even though the two countries shared an ideology, they remained distant due to Cuba’s closeness to the Soviet Union, China’s rival from the 1960s, until Mao’s death in 1976.
There was a rapprochement after the fall of the Soviet Union, with Chinese leaders visiting Cuba several times. Xi “visited his old friend Fidel Castro” in July 2014.
Updated
at 12.48pm GMT
12.07pm GMT
12:07
Jon Lee Anderson, writer at the New Yorker and biographer of Che Guevara, has said:
With the death of #Fidel Castro, at 90, one of modern world's most epic lives has ended, & w/it, an era of revolution that shaped our world.
Updated
at 12.09pm GMT
12.06pm GMT
12:06
The Cuban embassy in the US has tweeted:
Until forever, Commander! This No. 25, at 10:29 p.m. the Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz passed away #Cuba pic.twitter.com/5SDdyDyEY1
12.03pm GMT
12:03
Anti-Castro activists are toasting his death outside the Cuban embassy in Madrid.
Anticastristas brindan por la muerte de Fidel Castro ante la Embajada Cuba en España pic.twitter.com/cZ3ikSU0EO
12.01pm GMT
12:01
China and Vietnam respond to Castro's death
China and Vietnam, two of the few remaining Communist states, have lamented the death of Castro.
Hanoi’s state media led tributes to the loss of a “great friend and comrade”.
Castro’s Cuba showed solidarity with Vietnam in its war against US invaders.
The revolutionary figurhead first visited Vietnam in 1973 as a sign of communist kinship two years before the north drove out the US army.
As a sign of enduring ties, Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang was among the last heads of state to visit Castro, on November 16.
AFP reports the Vietnam News Agency as saying: “For all Vietnamese, Fidel was a great friend, a comrade and a very close brother”. It added that he had been “a pure symbol of true internationalism in the fight for independence of nations.”
Ties between communist China and Cuba warmed especially following the collapse of Soviet Russia, the Castro government’s biggest sponsor.
China Central Television (CCTV) ran a commentary explaining that Cuba was “the first country in the Western hemisphere” to establish diplomatic ties with Beijing.
“Fidel Castro admired Mao Zedong and... regretted not being able to get to know him,” added the commentary, describing the two nations as “good comrades”.
Castro visited China for the first time in 1995.
Updated
at 12.04pm GMT