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 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| 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) | |
| 9.54am GMT | |
| 09:54 | |
| Vladimir Putin has reportedly praised Castro as the “symbol of an era”. | |
| #BREAKING Russia president Putin praises late Cuba leader Fidel Castro as 'symbol of an era' | |
| Vladimir #Putin praises #Castro as a 'symbol of an era', #Kremlin sources say - AFP | |
| 9.52am GMT | |
| 09:52 | |
| The government of El Salvador has expressed “eternal gratitude” to Castro and the Cuban people for help “in the most difficult times”. | |
| A statement said Castro’s “example will live forever in our struggles and will flower in the noble ideas of new generations.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 9.59am GMT | |
| 9.49am GMT | |
| 09:49 | |
| Hage Geingob, the president of Namibia, has tweeted: | |
| The death of #Fidel signals the end of an era. Our comrade is no more but his revolutionary legacy will remain with Namibia forever. pic.twitter.com/VX6v4AjQbw | |
| 9.46am GMT | |
| 09:46 | |
| Jonathan Watts | |
| Newspapers, TV stations and websites in every country will be dominated by the death and its implications over the coming days. Among the key questions: | |
| Where will he be buried? Possibly the cemetery in Santiago de Cuba. I visited earlier this year and saw workers renovating the area and access roads. But the resting place has not been confirmed. A guide at Birán - Fidel’s birthplace - claimed he wanted to be buried there. | |
| What will be the political impact? Diplomats in Havana do not expect a huge change in the short term, but the death will underscore the need for the revolutionary generation to move on and could embolden democracy activists. | |
| What next for the Castro family? Raúl Castro has said he will hand over power at the end of his current term, but the ruling family have many other powerful positions in government and business that they will no doubt like to hang on to. | |
| How will this affect Cuba’s relations with the US? Very little. Fidel Castro was already diplomatically sidelined and unhappy about Cuba’s warmer ties with Washington. The election of Donald Trump will be a much bigger factor in determining whether those links continue to improve. | |
| Updated | |
| at 10.00am GMT | |
| 9.40am GMT | |
| 09:40 | |
| Jonathan Watts | |
| Most of Latin America is still asleep, but as people wake to the news of Fidel Castro’s death there will undoubtedly be a sense of an era passing not just for Cuba but for the entire region. | |
| For some, particularly on the left, there will be shock, albeit tempered by the fact that Castro was long retired and publicly said his goodbyes earlier this year. Others - on the right and among the exile community in Miami - have been hoping for this day for decades, but may still feel the loss of a figure who dominated much of their political lives. | |
| Castro’s influence in Latin America was enormous, though it has waned, particularly in the last year as Brazil and Argentina have shifted towards the right. The last of the major guerrilla movements he inspired - Colombia’s Farc - recently signed a peace deal. Even in Cuba, his anti-imperial revolution has been watered down by his brother Raúl’s economic reforms and rapprochement with the United States. | |
| Nonetheless, mourning is likely to be declared by leaders such as Evo Morales in Bolivia, Nicolas Maduro in Nicaragua and Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua who were inspired or helped by Castro. | |
| Updated | |
| at 10.01am GMT | |
| 9.34am GMT | 9.34am GMT |
| 09:34 | 09:34 |
| There has not yet been any reaction to Castro’s death from the White House. The US, in particular the CIA, reportedly considered or launched more than 600 assassination attempts on Castro over decades, including using poison pills, toxic cigars and exploding molluscs. His eventual death was long considered by the US to be the “biological solution” to communism in the Caribbean country. | There has not yet been any reaction to Castro’s death from the White House. The US, in particular the CIA, reportedly considered or launched more than 600 assassination attempts on Castro over decades, including using poison pills, toxic cigars and exploding molluscs. His eventual death was long considered by the US to be the “biological solution” to communism in the Caribbean country. |
| But in December 2014, Obama and Raúl Castro announced an extraordinary rapprochement in US-Cuban relations, promising to restore diplomatic ties and bring the two nations into a more congenial relationship. An end to the US’s 58-year embargo of Cuba, however, is dependent on Congress, where many remain opposed to normalising relations with Havana as long as any Castro is in power. | |
| Updated | |
| at 10.02am GMT | |
| 9.29am GMT | 9.29am GMT |
| 09:29 | 09:29 |
| Gorbachev hails Castro for ‘strengthening’ Cuba | Gorbachev hails Castro for ‘strengthening’ Cuba |
| Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has hailed Castro for “strengthening” his island nation. Interfax news agency quoted Gorbachev as saying: | Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has hailed Castro for “strengthening” his island nation. Interfax news agency quoted Gorbachev as saying: |
| Fidel stood up and strengthened his country during the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal pressure on him and he still took his country out of this blockade to a path of independent development. | Fidel stood up and strengthened his country during the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal pressure on him and he still took his country out of this blockade to a path of independent development. |
| In the past years, even when Fidel Castro was not formally in power, his role in strengthening the country was huge. | In the past years, even when Fidel Castro was not formally in power, his role in strengthening the country was huge. |
| Gorbachev added that Castro would be remembered as a “prominent politician” who managed to leave a “deep mark in the history of mankind.” | Gorbachev added that Castro would be remembered as a “prominent politician” who managed to leave a “deep mark in the history of mankind.” |
| The Kremlin has not yet reacted to Castro’s death. | The Kremlin has not yet reacted to Castro’s death. |
| 9.20am GMT | 9.20am GMT |
| 09:20 | 09:20 |
| Former Labour trade minister Brian Wilson said Castro had sent out a “beacon of hope” to Latin America. | Former Labour trade minister Brian Wilson said Castro had sent out a “beacon of hope” to Latin America. |
| He educated his people and he gave them healthcare they had never had before, and you can admire all of that without being an uncritical supporter, believe me, but do not lose the bigger picture - that Fidel Castro, for his region and for oppressed people throughout the world, sent out a message of hope. | He educated his people and he gave them healthcare they had never had before, and you can admire all of that without being an uncritical supporter, believe me, but do not lose the bigger picture - that Fidel Castro, for his region and for oppressed people throughout the world, sent out a message of hope. |
| Wilson led efforts to normalise trade links with Cuba and shared an Old Havana whisky with the president at one meeting. “He proposed a toast to Tony Blair and the third way, I proposed a toast to peace and socialism,” he told the Today programme. | Wilson led efforts to normalise trade links with Cuba and shared an Old Havana whisky with the president at one meeting. “He proposed a toast to Tony Blair and the third way, I proposed a toast to peace and socialism,” he told the Today programme. |
| 9.15am GMT | 9.15am GMT |
| 09:15 | 09:15 |
| Ken Livingstone calls Castro 'absolute giant of 20th century' | Ken Livingstone calls Castro 'absolute giant of 20th century' |
| Former London mayor Ken Livingstone has said Castro was an “absolute giant of the 20th century” and blamed the US for the restrictions on civil liberties under his leadership. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Livingstone said: | Former London mayor Ken Livingstone has said Castro was an “absolute giant of the 20th century” and blamed the US for the restrictions on civil liberties under his leadership. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Livingstone said: |
| I’m sure they will, over time, move towards something like a traditional west European democracy. It could have happened a lot earlier if you hadn’t had, the entire time, a blockade by America, attempts to overthrow the regime, eight assassination attempts authorised by American presidents. | I’m sure they will, over time, move towards something like a traditional west European democracy. It could have happened a lot earlier if you hadn’t had, the entire time, a blockade by America, attempts to overthrow the regime, eight assassination attempts authorised by American presidents. |
| Livingstone said Cuba could reform now it was not under threat of American invasion “even if Trump goes a little bit bonkers”. He added: | Livingstone said Cuba could reform now it was not under threat of American invasion “even if Trump goes a little bit bonkers”. He added: |
| Of course Fidel did things that were wrong... Initially he wasn’t very good on lesbian and gay rights, but the key things that mattered was that people had a good education, good healthcare and wealth was evenly distributed. | Of course Fidel did things that were wrong... Initially he wasn’t very good on lesbian and gay rights, but the key things that mattered was that people had a good education, good healthcare and wealth was evenly distributed. |
| He was not living as a billionaire laundering money off into a Panamanian bank account or anything like that, he was good for the people. | He was not living as a billionaire laundering money off into a Panamanian bank account or anything like that, he was good for the people. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.32am GMT | at 9.32am GMT |
| 9.11am GMT | 9.11am GMT |
| 09:11 | 09:11 |
| Castro has cast a shadow over Miami for decades, and in many ways, his policy and his power have shaped the city and its inhabitants, the Associated Press reports. | Castro has cast a shadow over Miami for decades, and in many ways, his policy and his power have shaped the city and its inhabitants, the Associated Press reports. |
| Cubans fled to Miami, Tampa, New Jersey and elsewhere after Castro took power in 1959. Some were loyalists of Fulgencio Batista while others left with the hope they would be able to return after Castro was toppled. But he never was. | Cubans fled to Miami, Tampa, New Jersey and elsewhere after Castro took power in 1959. Some were loyalists of Fulgencio Batista while others left with the hope they would be able to return after Castro was toppled. But he never was. |
| Many others believed they would not be truly free under Castro and his communist regime. Thousands left behind their possessions, loved ones, and hard-earned educations and businesses, traveling to the US by plane, boat or raft. Many Cubans died on the ocean trip to South Florida. And many never returned to see their childhood homes, their neighborhoods, their playgrounds, their businesses, their cousins and aunts and uncles, because Castro was still in power. | Many others believed they would not be truly free under Castro and his communist regime. Thousands left behind their possessions, loved ones, and hard-earned educations and businesses, traveling to the US by plane, boat or raft. Many Cubans died on the ocean trip to South Florida. And many never returned to see their childhood homes, their neighborhoods, their playgrounds, their businesses, their cousins and aunts and uncles, because Castro was still in power. |
| The ones that made it to Miami took a largely, and vehemently, anti-Castro stance. | The ones that made it to Miami took a largely, and vehemently, anti-Castro stance. |
| On New Year’s Eve every year, Cubans in Miami utter a toast in Spanish as they hoist glasses of liquor: “Next year in Cuba.” But as the Cuban exiles aged, and as Castro outlived them, and as Barack Obama eroded the embargo and younger Cubans returned to the island, the toast rang silent in many households. | On New Year’s Eve every year, Cubans in Miami utter a toast in Spanish as they hoist glasses of liquor: “Next year in Cuba.” But as the Cuban exiles aged, and as Castro outlived them, and as Barack Obama eroded the embargo and younger Cubans returned to the island, the toast rang silent in many households. |
| So news of Castro’s death has long been anticipated by exiles in Miami. | So news of Castro’s death has long been anticipated by exiles in Miami. |
| 9.02am GMT | 9.02am GMT |
| 09:02 | 09:02 |
| Meanwhile, celebrations abound in Miami’s Little Havana, where the largest diaspora of Cuban exiles live. It is currently 4am in Florida. | Meanwhile, celebrations abound in Miami’s Little Havana, where the largest diaspora of Cuban exiles live. It is currently 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 | 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 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.19am GMT | at 9.19am GMT |
| 8.58am GMT | 8.58am GMT |
| 08:58 | 08:58 |
| Mandela Foundation sends its condolences to Cuba | Mandela Foundation sends its condolences to Cuba |
| 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!” | 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 | #NelsonMandela Foundation sends deepest condolences to the people & government of Cuba on passing of Fidel Castro https://t.co/5R3ySxl3MA pic.twitter.com/YeLt2zaw7f |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.32am GMT | at 9.32am GMT |
| 8.51am GMT | 8.51am GMT |
| 08:51 | 08:51 |
| Spanish government express condolences | Spanish government express condolences |
| The Spanish government has just expressed its condolences to Cuba, writes Sam Jones in Madrid. | 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: | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.33am GMT | at 9.33am GMT |
| 8.50am GMT | 8.50am GMT |
| 08:50 | 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 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. | “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.” | “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. | Click below to read the full piece. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.57am GMT | at 8.57am GMT |
| 8.39am GMT | 8.39am GMT |
| 08:39 | 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.” | 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 | #Cuba Faltan varias horas para el primer amanecer sin Fidel Castro que he vivido en mi vida... pic.twitter.com/AM7nXiWFBc |