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'The old man is dead': Fidel Castro's death sparks celebrations on streets of Miami 'The old man is dead': Fidel Castro's death sparks celebrations on streets of Miami
(35 minutes later)
The death of Fidel Castro has provoked celebrations on the streets of Miami, home to the largest diaspora of Cuban exiles, with many taking to the streets to express their delight at the leader’s passing.The death of Fidel Castro has provoked celebrations on the streets of Miami, home to the largest diaspora of Cuban exiles, with many taking to the streets to express their delight at the leader’s passing.
Within half an hour of the announcement, celebrations, parties, and bouts of flag waving had erupted. Those taking to the streets banged pots and pans and chanted “Cuba Libre!” (Cuba is free) and “el viejo murió” (the old man is dead).Within half an hour of the announcement, celebrations, parties, and bouts of flag waving had erupted. Those taking to the streets banged pots and pans and chanted “Cuba Libre!” (Cuba is free) and “el viejo murió” (the old man is dead).
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/pzBvC4fdNVStarting 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
In the city, which is closer to Havana both geographically and psychologically than Washington, the news of Castro’s death had long been anticipated by the exiles who left after Castro took power, and in the decades since. Rumours have come and gone for decades, and Castro’s death had become something of a joke mostly because it seemed to happen so frequently. This time, though, it was real. In the city, which is closer to Havana than to Washington both geographically and psychologically, the news of Castro’s death had long been anticipated by the exiles who left after Castro took power, and in the decades since. Rumours have come and gone for decades, and Castro’s death had become something of a joke mostly because it seemed to happen so frequently. This time, though, it was real.
On Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana, thousands of people whooped in jubilation as honking and strains of salsa music from car stereos echoed off stucco buildings, and fireworks lit up the humid night sky.On Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana, thousands of people whooped in jubilation as honking and strains of salsa music from car stereos echoed off stucco buildings, and fireworks lit up the humid night sky.
Police blocked off streets leading to Cafe Versailles, the quintessential Cuban American hotspot where strong cafecitos - sweetened espresso - were as common as harsh words about Fidel Castro. Police blocked off streets leading to Cafe Versailles, the quintessential Cuban American hotspot, where strong cafecitos – sweetened espresso – were as common as harsh words about Fidel Castro.
“Cuba si! Castro no!” they chanted, while others screamed “Cuba libre!”“Cuba si! Castro no!” they chanted, while others screamed “Cuba libre!”
Jay Fernández, who is now 72, came to Miami at the age of 18 in 1961. He, his wife and another woman held up a bilingual sign he’d made four years ago when Castro first became ill: “Satan, Fidel is now yours. Give him what he deserves. Don’t let him rest in peace.”Jay Fernández, who is now 72, came to Miami at the age of 18 in 1961. He, his wife and another woman held up a bilingual sign he’d made four years ago when Castro first became ill: “Satan, Fidel is now yours. Give him what he deserves. Don’t let him rest in peace.”
Several blocks away, at the Bay of Pigs memorial, Antonio Hernández, 76, stood at the eternal flame that honours the men who tried, and failed, to wrest Cuba from Castro’s grip in 1961. “Everybody’s happy. Now this guy won’t do any more damage,” said Hernández, who came to Miami on the Mariel boat lift in 1980. “His brother will now go down, too. But the world has to pay attention to this, not just we Cubans.” Several blocks away, at the Bay of Pigs memorial, Antonio Hernández, 76, stood at the eternal flame that honours the men who tried, and failed, to wrest Cuba from Castro’s grip in 1961. “Everybody’s happy. Now this guy won’t do any more damage,” said Hernández, who came to Miami on the Mariel boatlift in 1980. “His brother will now go down, too. But the world has to pay attention to this, not just we Cubans.”
Valentin Prieto, a prominent Cuban-American blogger who refuses to afford the late Cuban leader the honour of capital letters, wrote on Facebook: “A few hours of sleep tonight is the very last thing fidel castro will ever rob me of.”Valentin Prieto, a prominent Cuban-American blogger who refuses to afford the late Cuban leader the honour of capital letters, wrote on Facebook: “A few hours of sleep tonight is the very last thing fidel castro will ever rob me of.”
Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the most senior US representative from Florida, and who emigrated to the US from Cuba at the age of seven, said Castro’s death marked a potential watershed in Cuba’s development.Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the most senior US representative from Florida, and who emigrated to the US from Cuba at the age of seven, said Castro’s death marked a potential watershed in Cuba’s development.
Today's cover: Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro dead at 90 https://t.co/ecKcwOPD9Q pic.twitter.com/K8g070qy5wToday's cover: Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro dead at 90 https://t.co/ecKcwOPD9Q pic.twitter.com/K8g070qy5w
“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 message is now very clear to those who think they will continue to misrule Cuba through oppression and fear. Enough is enough. The Cuban people have been shortchanged for too long to continue down this reviled path.“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 message is now very clear to those who think they will continue to misrule Cuba through oppression and fear. Enough is enough. The Cuban people have been shortchanged for too long to continue down this reviled path.
“We must seize the moment and help write a new chapter in the history of Cuba, that of a Cuba that is free, democratic, and prosperous.”“We must seize the moment and help write a new chapter in the history of Cuba, that of a Cuba that is free, democratic, and prosperous.”
In Havana, news of his death was treated with solemnity. The streets of the Cuban capital were reportedly quiet, following the announcement, which came late at night. In Havana, news of Castro’s death was treated with solemnity. The streets of the Cuban capital were reportedly quiet, following the announcement, which came late at night.
“I am very upset. Whatever you want to say, he is a public figure that the whole world respected and loved,” Havana student Sariel Valdespino told Reuters.“I am very upset. Whatever you want to say, he is a public figure that the whole world respected and loved,” Havana student Sariel Valdespino told Reuters.