HAVANA (AP) — Thousands of Cubans were filing through a memorial in Havana’s Plaza of the Revolution on Monday as the nation plunged into a week of services bidding farewell to the man who ruled the country for nearly half a century. One of the first in line was Tania Jimenez, 53, a mathematician who … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — Elian Gonzalez, the center of an international custody battle waged by Fidel Castro nearly two decades ago, returned to the public eye Sunday to praise the leader who fought to return him to Cuba. Echoing the round-the-clock adulation on state media, Gonzalez said on government-run television that the Cuban leader’s legacy will … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — A nine-story portrait of a young Fidel Castro has joined the towering images of fallen guerrillas overlooking Havana’s Plaza of the Revolution, the massive square where Cuba on Monday,Nov. 28, begins bidding farewell to the man who ruled the island for nearly half a century. After 10 years of leadership by Castro’s … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — He overthrew a strongman, brought his country free health care and education, and enlisted Cubans in what he called fights for freedom from Central America to South Africa. Fidel Castro also maintained a steel grip at home, jailing dissidents and gays, controlling freedom of travel and expression and declaring virtually any activity … Continue reading
MIAMI (AP) — Fidel Castro’s death triggered an emotional and long-awaited celebration in Miami’s large Cuban-American community Saturday as peaceful demonstrators waved flags and honked car horns, many cheering with joy and others weeping for family members who didn’t live to see this day. Yet it was also a bittersweet time as most realize Castro’s … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro’s revolution was slowly dying — or so it seemed. Communism had collapsed in Europe, and Cuba’s Soviet lifeline was severed. Food was in short supply. Power outages silenced TV sets normally tuned to a nighttime soap opera. Factories rusted in the tropical heat. The title of an American book seemed … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro’s rule of nearly five decades split many a Cuban family between exile and solidarity with the communist revolution — including his own. While brother Raul was his closest confidant and successor as president, sister Juana, exiled in south Florida, called Fidel a “monster” to whom she hadn’t spoken in more … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro responded Monday to President Barack Obama’s historic trip to Cuba with a long, bristling letter recounting the history of U.S. aggression against Cuba, writing that “we don’t need the empire to give us any presents.” The 1,500-word letter in state media titled “Brother Obama” was Castro’s first response to the … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — The Latest on President Barack Obama’s trip to Cuba (all times local): 6:50 p.m. President Barack Obama says he’s willing to meet with former Cuban President Fidel Castro in the future. In an interview with ABC News with David Muir, Obama says he has no problem with such a meeting “just as … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba has published the first photos of Fidel Castro in more than five months, showing the 88-year-old former leader engaged in what appears to be a lively conversation with a university student. Nearly two dozen images were published virtually simultaneously on the websites of Cuba’s main state media outlets around midnight … Continue reading
HAVANA, Cuba (AP) — Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro ended his long silence over his country’s decision to restore diplomatic ties with the United States, writing that he backs the negotiations even though he distrusts politics in Washington. The comments were the first by the 88-year-old revolutionary leader on the talks with the U.S. … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 