Fidel Castro dead at 90

[imastawka]

Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary leader who built a communist state on the doorstep of the United States and for five decades defied US efforts to topple him, has died, state-run Cuban Television said. He was 90.

Castro had been in poor health since an intestinal ailment nearly killed him in 2006 and he formally ceded power to his younger brother Raul Castro two years later.

It was Raul Castro who announced his brother died on Friday evening.

http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/fidel-castro-dead-at-90/ar-AAkM2Hm?li=AAavLaF&ocid=spartanntp

[freddie*rooster]

Strange but Mr F and I both thought he died a few years back 

[imastawka]

Maybe wishful thinking,  Freddie

[davidc4430]

[myoclon1cjerk]

https://youtu.be/c6Pdog6DsQY

[the_great_she_elephant]

When you consider what he had to contend with, I reckon he didn't actually do such a bad job.

[imastawka]

The Cubans might argue that point, She Ele

[the_great_she_elephant]

In 1960 a bare two years ater Castros revolutionaries had ousted an authoritarian and unelected dictator (Batista) The U.S. placed an embargo on exports to Cuba except for food and medicine after Cuba nationalised American-owned Cuban oil refineries without compensation. On February 7, 1962 the embargo was extended to include almost all imports. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_embargo_against_Cuba

From then on they have tried everything in their power (including invasion)  to cripple the regime and destabilise the government. It's hardly surprising Castro had to look to the Soviet bloc for support. 

[lionrose.7]

He at least through all the American Mafia Gangsters out of his Country when he took over.

[imastawka]

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

In 1960 a bare two years ater Castros revolutionaries had ousted an authoritarian and unelected dictator (Batista) The U.S. placed an embargo on exports to Cuba except for food and medicine after Cuba nationalised American-owned Cuban oil refineries without compensation. On February 7, 1962 the embargo was extended to include almost all imports. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_embargo_against_Cuba

From then on they have tried everything in their power (including invasion)  to cripple the regime and destabilise the government. It's hardly surprising Castro had to look to the Soviet bloc for support. 

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From your link -

At present, the embargo, which limits American businesses from conducting business with Cuban interests, is still in effect and is the most enduring trade embargo in modern history. Despite the existence of the embargo, the United States is the fifth largest exporter to Cuba (6.6% of Cuba's imports are from the US).[Cuba must, however, pay cash for all imports, as credit is not allowed.

The Cuban people are still living in poverty.