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Fidel Castro: world reacts to death of Cuban leader – live updates | Fidel Castro: world reacts to death of Cuban leader – live updates |
(35 minutes later) | |
9.02am GMT | |
09:02 | |
Meanwhile, celebrations are abound in Miami’s Little Havana, where the largest diaspora of Cuban exiles live. It is presently 4am in Florida. | |
Cubans march down Calle Ocho in Little Havana in Miami celebrating Fidel Castro's death (raining & almost 2am but that won't stop the party) pic.twitter.com/LxvWAuxGsO | |
8.58am GMT | |
08:58 | |
The Nelson Mandela foundation has sent its condolences to the people and government of Cuba. Remember, Mandela said the Cuban revolution was “a source of inspiration for all those who value freedom”. “We admire the sacrifices of the Cuban people in maintaining their independence and sovereignty in the face of the vicious imperialist and orchestrated campaign to destroy the awesome force of the Cuban revolution,” he said. “Long live the Cuban Revolution! Long live comrade Fidel Castro!” | |
#NelsonMandela Foundation sends deepest condolences to the people & government of Cuba on passing of Fidel Castro https://t.co/5R3ySxl3MA pic.twitter.com/YeLt2zaw7f | |
8.51am GMT | |
08:51 | |
The Spanish government has just expressed its condolences to Cuba, writes Sam Jones in Madrid. | |
In a measured statement released this morning, the foreign ministry said: | |
A figure of great historic importance has gone, a man who brought about a turning point in the country’s evolution and whose great influence was felt across the region. As the son of Spanish parents, former President Castro always maintained strong links with Spain and was bound by ties of blood and culture. | |
8.50am GMT | |
08:50 | |
“I first met Fidel Castro when I secured the right to export Cuban cigars to Asia,” David Tang wrote in the Guardian earlier this month. “It was around 1992. We were driven to meet him in one of his homes, as he was very supportive of the Cuban cigar industry. It was a sort of bunker on the outskirts of Havana. We went downstairs into a basement that looked out on to a lowered garden, which was very beautiful. | |
“I arrived for dinner at around 7pm, and he was there with two interpreters, standing beside him, one at each shoulder. They would translate as we spoke – there had to be two; he talked so much that one on his own would get very tired. We stayed standing up and talking for more than two hours, by which time the two interpreters were absolutely exhausted, so two new ones were brought in. I was amazed that anybody could talk so much. | |
“He was utterly charming, but quite intimidating, with his enormous stature, military uniform and impressive beard. His speech was a bit rambling and he would gesticulate a lot with his hands, but he was never boring – in fact, he had me spellbound.” | |
Click below to read the full piece. | |
Updated | |
at 8.57am GMT | |
8.39am GMT | |
08:39 | |
The Cuban dissident blogger Yoani Sánchez has tweeted: “Only a few hours left until the first dawn of my life without Fidel Castro.” | |
#Cuba Faltan varias horas para el primer amanecer sin Fidel Castro que he vivido en mi vida... pic.twitter.com/AM7nXiWFBc | |
8.37am GMT | |
08:37 | |
Nadia Khomami | |
Good morning to all of you joining us in London or anywhere else in the world. | |
Today’s breaking news is that Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary icon, has died at the age of 90. I’m taking over the liveblog from Claire now. Stay tuned for all the key reactions and developments from 2016’s latest twist. | |
I’ll try to keep an eye on your comments below the line, or you can contact me on Twitter @nadiakhomami. | |
Updated | |
at 8.50am GMT | |
8.09am GMT | 8.09am GMT |
08:09 | 08:09 |
What we know so far | What we know so far |
Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
At 10.29 at night, the chief commander of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, died. | At 10.29 at night, the chief commander of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, died. |
Ever onward, to victory! | Ever onward, to victory! |
8.02am GMT | 8.02am GMT |
08:02 | 08:02 |
World leaders have been tweeting in response to the death of Fidel Castro. | World leaders have been tweeting in response to the death of Fidel Castro. |
Enrique Peña Nieto, president of Mexico | Enrique Peña Nieto, president of Mexico |
“I lament the passing of Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution and emblem of the 20th century. | “I lament the passing of Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution and emblem of the 20th century. |
“Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico, promoter of a bilateral relationship based on respect, dialogue and solidarity.” | “Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico, promoter of a bilateral relationship based on respect, dialogue and solidarity.” |
Lamento el fallecimiento de Fidel Castro Ruz, líder de la Revolución cubana y referente emblemático del siglo XX. | Lamento el fallecimiento de Fidel Castro Ruz, líder de la Revolución cubana y referente emblemático del siglo XX. |
Fidel Castro fue un amigo de México, promotor de una relación bilateral basada en el respeto, el diálogo y la solidaridad. | Fidel Castro fue un amigo de México, promotor de una relación bilateral basada en el respeto, el diálogo y la solidaridad. |
Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela | Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela |
“To all the revolutionaries of the world, we have to continue his legacy and his flag of independence, of socialism, of homeland.” | “To all the revolutionaries of the world, we have to continue his legacy and his flag of independence, of socialism, of homeland.” |
A tod@s l@s Revolucionari@s del Mundo nos toca seguir con su Legado y su Bandera de Independencia,de Socialismo,de Patria Humana... | A tod@s l@s Revolucionari@s del Mundo nos toca seguir con su Legado y su Bandera de Independencia,de Socialismo,de Patria Humana... |
Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador | Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador |
“He was a great one. Fidel is dead. Long live Cuba! Long live Latin America!” | “He was a great one. Fidel is dead. Long live Cuba! Long live Latin America!” |
Se fue un grande. Murió Fidel.¡Viva Cuba! ¡Viva América Latina! | Se fue un grande. Murió Fidel.¡Viva Cuba! ¡Viva América Latina! |
Updated | Updated |
at 8.03am GMT | at 8.03am GMT |
7.45am GMT | 7.45am GMT |
07:45 | 07:45 |
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Cuban-American elected to Congress, says Castro’s death is an opportunity to “write a new chapter in the history of Cuba”: | Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Cuban-American elected to Congress, says Castro’s death is an opportunity to “write a new chapter in the history of Cuba”: |
The day that the people, both inside the island and out, have waited for has arrived: A tyrant is dead and a new beginning can dawn on the last remaining communist bastion of the Western hemisphere… | The day that the people, both inside the island and out, have waited for has arrived: A tyrant is dead and a new beginning can dawn on the last remaining communist bastion of the Western hemisphere… |
Those who still rule Cuba with an iron grip may attempt to delay the island’s liberation, but they cannot stop it. | Those who still rule Cuba with an iron grip may attempt to delay the island’s liberation, but they cannot stop it. |
Tyrant + thug #FidelCastro is dead. We must work for a #Cuba that is free, democratic, and prosperous. My statement: https://t.co/04CCqZErTA | Tyrant + thug #FidelCastro is dead. We must work for a #Cuba that is free, democratic, and prosperous. My statement: https://t.co/04CCqZErTA |
7.33am GMT | 7.33am GMT |
07:33 | 07:33 |
Raúl Castro, brother of Fidel Castro and his successor as president, appeared on Cuban state television late on Friday night to break the news of his death. | Raúl Castro, brother of Fidel Castro and his successor as president, appeared on Cuban state television late on Friday night to break the news of his death. |
Wearing green military uniform, Raúl Castro announced: | Wearing green military uniform, Raúl Castro announced: |
At 10.29 at night, the chief commander of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, died. | At 10.29 at night, the chief commander of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, died. |
He did not give a cause of death but ended with a revolutionary slogan: | He did not give a cause of death but ended with a revolutionary slogan: |
Ever onward, to victory! | Ever onward, to victory! |
7.27am GMT | 7.27am GMT |
07:27 | 07:27 |
Associated Press in Havana has some reaction from Cubans to the breaking news: | Associated Press in Havana has some reaction from Cubans to the breaking news: |
Carlos Rodriguez, 15, was sitting in Havana’s Miramar neighbourhood when he heard that Fidel Castro had died. | Carlos Rodriguez, 15, was sitting in Havana’s Miramar neighbourhood when he heard that Fidel Castro had died. |
“Fidel? Fidel?” he said, slapping his head in shock. “That’s not what I was expecting. One always thought that he would last forever. It doesn’t seem true.” | “Fidel? Fidel?” he said, slapping his head in shock. “That’s not what I was expecting. One always thought that he would last forever. It doesn’t seem true.” |
“It’s a tragedy,” said 22-year-old nurse Dayan Montalvo. “We all grew up with him. I feel really hurt by the news that we just heard.” | “It’s a tragedy,” said 22-year-old nurse Dayan Montalvo. “We all grew up with him. I feel really hurt by the news that we just heard.” |
7.15am GMT | 7.15am GMT |
07:15 | 07:15 |
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has tweeted his condolences on the death of Castro, whom he called “one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century” and “a great friend”: | India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has tweeted his condolences on the death of Castro, whom he called “one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century” and “a great friend”: |
I extend my deepest condolences to the Government & people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. May his soul rest in peace. | I extend my deepest condolences to the Government & people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. May his soul rest in peace. |
We stand in support with the Cuban Government and people in this tragic hour. | We stand in support with the Cuban Government and people in this tragic hour. |
Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend. | Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend. |
7.10am GMT | 7.10am GMT |
07:10 | 07:10 |
In March this year, Barack Obama became the first US president to visit Cuba since the revolution of 1959 and Castro’s ascent. | In March this year, Barack Obama became the first US president to visit Cuba since the revolution of 1959 and Castro’s ascent. |
¿Que bolá Cuba? Just touched down here, looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people. | ¿Que bolá Cuba? Just touched down here, looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people. |
He did not see or speak to Fidel Castro, but did hold a number of meetings with Raúl Castro. | He did not see or speak to Fidel Castro, but did hold a number of meetings with Raúl Castro. |
After the complicated visit, Fidel Castro published a dismissive response to Obama’s overtures, calling them “honey-coated” and arguing that Cubans would not forget “a ruthless blockade that has now lasted for almost 60 years”: | After the complicated visit, Fidel Castro published a dismissive response to Obama’s overtures, calling them “honey-coated” and arguing that Cubans would not forget “a ruthless blockade that has now lasted for almost 60 years”: |
No one should be under the illusion that the people of this noble and selfless country will renounce its glory and its rights, and the spiritual wealth that is has gained with the development of education, science and culture. | No one should be under the illusion that the people of this noble and selfless country will renounce its glory and its rights, and the spiritual wealth that is has gained with the development of education, science and culture. |
6.58am GMT | 6.58am GMT |
06:58 | 06:58 |
Celebrations in Little Havana | Celebrations in Little Havana |
Little Havana, the Miami neighbourhood home to many Cubans in exile in the US, is celebrating tonight (it’s around 2am there now). | Little Havana, the Miami neighbourhood home to many Cubans in exile in the US, is celebrating tonight (it’s around 2am there now). |
Starting to be a real crowd outside Versailles in Little Havana, cars stopping to honk and cheer "Cuba Libre!" (And "el viejo murió!") pic.twitter.com/pzBvC4fdNV | Starting to be a real crowd outside Versailles in Little Havana, cars stopping to honk and cheer "Cuba Libre!" (And "el viejo murió!") pic.twitter.com/pzBvC4fdNV |
Hundreds gathering in Little Havana at Versailles, honking horns, banging pots and pans, waving Cuban and U.S. flags. Cheers. #FidelCastro pic.twitter.com/QUnJI6KnT1 | Hundreds gathering in Little Havana at Versailles, honking horns, banging pots and pans, waving Cuban and U.S. flags. Cheers. #FidelCastro pic.twitter.com/QUnJI6KnT1 |
6.51am GMT | 6.51am GMT |
06:51 | 06:51 |
Here’s how the Guardian (the Manchester Guardian, as it then was) reported the arrival of Fidel Castro into Havana on 8 January 1959. | Here’s how the Guardian (the Manchester Guardian, as it then was) reported the arrival of Fidel Castro into Havana on 8 January 1959. |
Alistair Cooke reported: | Alistair Cooke reported: |
Cuba is unlikely to recognise the Soviet Union “or any other dictatorship” as long as it is busy, which it seemed to be to-day, creating a provisional dictatorship of its own. It was Fidel Castro, the conquering rebel, who passed the snubbing remark about the Communists to-day, while his appointed president, Judge Manuel Urrutia Lleo, was dissolving the Congress and the courts and having his Cabinet draft decrees that will abolish all political parties and ban from future office all candidates in the 1954 and 1958 elections held under the auspices of the departed President Batista. | Cuba is unlikely to recognise the Soviet Union “or any other dictatorship” as long as it is busy, which it seemed to be to-day, creating a provisional dictatorship of its own. It was Fidel Castro, the conquering rebel, who passed the snubbing remark about the Communists to-day, while his appointed president, Judge Manuel Urrutia Lleo, was dissolving the Congress and the courts and having his Cabinet draft decrees that will abolish all political parties and ban from future office all candidates in the 1954 and 1958 elections held under the auspices of the departed President Batista. |
The Cabinet announced yesterday that the country will be ruled by decree for 18 months or two years, by which time – it hopes – Cuba will be ready for free elections and a go at democracy … | The Cabinet announced yesterday that the country will be ruled by decree for 18 months or two years, by which time – it hopes – Cuba will be ready for free elections and a go at democracy … |
Meanwhile the hero himself, who has renounced all desire for “power” and is content to be the armed forces Chief of Staff, was enjoying a slow approach to Havana as thousands cheered. | Meanwhile the hero himself, who has renounced all desire for “power” and is content to be the armed forces Chief of Staff, was enjoying a slow approach to Havana as thousands cheered. |
For the moment, Castro is the living symbol of release from an interminably brutal and corrupt dictatorship, which was all the more dolorous in that its leader had appeared, not too many years ago, in the liberating image of Castro himself. The press and people of the United States defer only to the Cubans in their excessive celebration of a new Latin American hero; possibly because Castro looks so young and modern, and talks so gallantly: probably because on its face his victory represents the straightforward triumph of truth and heroism in a complicated world. | For the moment, Castro is the living symbol of release from an interminably brutal and corrupt dictatorship, which was all the more dolorous in that its leader had appeared, not too many years ago, in the liberating image of Castro himself. The press and people of the United States defer only to the Cubans in their excessive celebration of a new Latin American hero; possibly because Castro looks so young and modern, and talks so gallantly: probably because on its face his victory represents the straightforward triumph of truth and heroism in a complicated world. |