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 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/19/fidel-castro-raul-handshake-barack-obama-editorial

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fidel Castro hails brother Raúl's handshake with Barack Obama Fidel Castro hails brother Raúl's handshake with Barack Obama
(about 5 hours later)
Cuba's President Raúl Castro introduced himself to Barack Obama in English at Nelson Mandela's funeral, telling him, "Mr President, I'm Castro," as the two leaders shook hands.Cuba's President Raúl Castro introduced himself to Barack Obama in English at Nelson Mandela's funeral, telling him, "Mr President, I'm Castro," as the two leaders shook hands.
That's according to Castro's brother, Fidel, who broke months of silence on Thursday with a lengthy editorial in state media discussing Cuba's ties to Mandela and his brother's trip to South Africa for his funeral.That's according to Castro's brother, Fidel, who broke months of silence on Thursday with a lengthy editorial in state media discussing Cuba's ties to Mandela and his brother's trip to South Africa for his funeral.
The 10 December handshake set off speculation in the US and Cuba about whether it signalled a warming of ties between the two nations after decades of animosity. US and Cuban officials dismissed that, calling the handshake a mere courtesy.The 10 December handshake set off speculation in the US and Cuba about whether it signalled a warming of ties between the two nations after decades of animosity. US and Cuban officials dismissed that, calling the handshake a mere courtesy.
In his 2,400-word essay published on Friday on the front pages of Cuba's government-run newspapers and websites, Fidel Castro congratulated his brother for his "steadfastness and dignity, when, with a friendly but firm gesture, he greeted the head of the US government and told him in English, 'Mr. President, I'm Castro.'" In his 2,400-word essay published on Friday on the front pages of Cuba's government-run newspapers and websites, Fidel Castro congratulated his brother for his "steadfastness and dignity", when, with a friendly but firm gesture, he greeted the head of the US government and told him in English, 'Mr. President, I'm Castro.'"
Castro, 87, handed over leadership of Cuba to his brother after suffering intestinal bleeding in 2006. He last wrote one of his trademark editorials and appeared in a photo in September.Castro, 87, handed over leadership of Cuba to his brother after suffering intestinal bleeding in 2006. He last wrote one of his trademark editorials and appeared in a photo in September.
When Mandela died and Castro failed to appear in public or write about the loss of a close ally, many inside and outside Cuba wondered if it was an indication that his health had worsened.When Mandela died and Castro failed to appear in public or write about the loss of a close ally, many inside and outside Cuba wondered if it was an indication that his health had worsened.
As If to dispel those thoughts, the Cuban government on Monday published a photo of a vigorous-looking Castro meeting with a Spanish journalist three days earlier. As if to dispel those thoughts, the Cuban government on Monday published a photo of a vigorous-looking Castro meeting a Spanish journalist three days earlier.
The journalist, Ignacio Ramonet, told Associated Press that he and Castro discussed a wide range of topics including Mandela, Venezuelan politics and climate change and "I found him to be in excellent health and in a good mood, physically, mentally and psychologically".The journalist, Ignacio Ramonet, told Associated Press that he and Castro discussed a wide range of topics including Mandela, Venezuelan politics and climate change and "I found him to be in excellent health and in a good mood, physically, mentally and psychologically".
Castro wrote extensively about his relationship with Mandela in the article published on Thursday, discussing Cuba's backing of Angolan fighters who battled forces supported by the pro-apartheid South African government of the 1980s. He condemned the US for supporting the opposing forces. Castro wrote extensively about his relationship with Mandela in the article published on Thursday, discussing Cuba's backing of Angolan fighters who battled forces supported by the pro-apartheid South African government of the 1980s. He condemned the US for supporting the opposing forces.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.