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Cubans Mourn Castro, As Week of Mourning Begins

by VOA News

   Cubans are mourning Fidel Castro, the country's revolutionary leader
   whose death was announced Saturday.

   Flags are flying at half-mast across the country, as Cuba enters a week
   filled with memorials to mark his passing.

   The socialist revolutionary, who had long been ill, died late Friday at
   the age of 90. A cause of death has not been announced.

   A series of memorials begins Monday, when Cubans gather in Havana's
   iconic Revolution Square, where Castro often addressed adoring crowds.

   Students place candles around an image of the late Cuban leader Fidel
   Castro, at the university where Castro studied law as a young man,
   during a vigil in Havana, Cuba, Nov. 26, 2016.

   Castro's remains will then go on a four-day tour across the island
   nation, before being buried December 4 in Santiago.

   The socialist leader grew up near Santiago, and launched his first
   failed attempt at revolution in 1953 from the eastern city.

   Castro would go on to mount a successful revolt against the U.S.-backed
   government of Fulgencio Bautista starting in 1959.

   He eventually set up a one-party socialist government, which constantly
   defied Washington and allied itself with the former Soviet Union.

   Castro handed power to his brother, Raul Castro, in 2006, although he
   still exercised some power behind the scenes until recent years.

   FILE - In this April 19, 2011 photo, Fidel Castro, left, raises his
   brother's hand, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, as they sing the
   anthem of international socialism during the 6th Communist Party
   Congress in Havana, Cuba.

   A polarizing figure throughout his life, Castro also prompted a mixed
   reaction in his death.

   In Cuba, many mourned the loss of a man who dominated the country's
   politics for over 50 years and helped foster a sense of independence
   and patriotism.

   US reactions
   In nearby Miami, however, large crowds of Cuban Americans danced in the
   streets, celebrating the passing of a man they saw as a dictator.

   People celebrate after the announcement of the death of Cuban
   revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in the Little Havana district of
   Miami, Fla., Nov. 26, 2016.

   World leaders were also divided in their response to Castro's death.

   U.S. President Barack Obama released a statement that was largely
   neutral in its reference to Castro, saying the U.S. extends its "hand
   of friendship" to the Cuban people.

   Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump's statement slammed Castro as a
   "brutal dictator who suppressed his own people for six decades."

   Starting in 2014, Obama oversaw a historic warming of relations between
   the U.S. and Cuba, including the restoration of diplomatic ties.

   FILE - President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive to attend a
   state dinner hosted by Cuban President Raul Castro (L), as part of
   Obama's three-day visit to Cuba

   During his presidential campaign, Trump initially said he supported
   that effort, but has since backed away, taking a more hawkish stance.

   Trump's incoming chief of staff, Reince Priebus on Sunday said Trump
   was "absolutely" willing to reverse Obama's opening to Cuba.

   Talking to Fox News Sunday, Priebus said the future of U.S.-Cuba
   relations depends on whether Havana makes progress on human rights.

   "Repression, open markets, freedom of religion, political prisoners --
   these things need to change in order to have an open and free
   relationship," Priebus said.