Havana: Fidel Castro, the fiery apostle of revolution who defied the US for nearly half a century as Cuba’s leader, died on Friday, ending an era for the country and Latin America. Several world leaders, including the Indian President and Prime Minister condoled Castro’s demise.
“The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died late on Friday,” President Raul Castro, his younger brother, announced.
President Castro told the nation in an unexpected late night broadcast on state television that Fidel Castro had died and would be cremated later on Saturday.
The Cuban government announced that Castro’s ashes will be interred at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago de Cuba on December 4.
On December 4, at 7 a.m., his ashes will be interred at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, the resting place of 19th century Cuban independence hero Jose Marti and numerous other leading figures in the country’s history.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his condolence message, said “India mourns the loss of a great friend.”
President Pranab Mukherjee also condoled the death of “friend of India” Fidel Castro.