Fidel Castro, a Cuban politician and revolutionary who governed the Republic of Cuba for 47 years as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as president from 1976 to 2006 (de jure until 2008) had died. Politically a Marxist–Leninist and Cuban nationalist, he also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from 1961 until 2011. Under his administration, Cuba became a one-party socialist state; industry and business were nationalized, and state socialist reforms were implemented throughout society.
Cuban state television announced that Castro had died on the night of Nov. 25. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. His brother, President Raúl Castro, confirmed the news in a brief speech: “The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 [EST] this evening.” His death came nine months after his older brother Ramón died at the age of 91 in February. Castro was cremated on Nov. 26.
