The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Raul Castro

  • Fidel Castro’s funeral set for Dec. 4

    Fidel Castro’s funeral set for Dec. 4

    The state funeral for Fidel Castro who died at the age of 90, has been fixed for Sunday December 4, in Santiago de Cuba, according to state media report.

    But the cremation of the remains of Castro will be carried out according to his wishes, and  has been fixed for Saturday, Cuba President  Raul Castro, announced early Saturday.

    According official states media, the government has also declared nine days of mourning  in honour of the fallen hero.

    The death of Cuba strongman, Castro, has triggered both celebration and mourning, as critics welcomed his demise while supporters grieved for the polarising strongman who dominated Cuba for decades.

    In Maimi, celebrations spilled out over the death of Castro and the state government decrees a nine days of mourning. During the period, all activities and public performances will be halted, and Cuba’s flag will be flown at half-mast in public and at military establishments.

    According to reports , the country’s radio and television channels will broadcast informative, patriotic and historical programming.

    Castro reigned in Havana for nearly five decades with an iron hand, defying a U.S. economic embargo intended to dislodge his regime.

    But he lived long enough to see a historic reunion Between Cuba and the U.S.  The two nations re-established diplomatic relations in July 2015.

    Meanwhile messages by world leaders have been pouring in celebration of Castro who ruled Cuba for 47 years.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin, praised  him, describing Castro as a “symbol of an era”, while former Russian leader Gorbachev according reports from Kremlin hailed him for ”strengthening” Cuba.

    Narenda Modi, India prime minister said Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century , says India mourns the loss of a great friend.

    Mexico’s President, Enrique Pene Nieto called Castro a friend of Mexico, who had promoted bilateral relaionships based on respect, dialogue and solidatity.

    Also, Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuela’s president has sent a solidarity and love message to Cuban people on the loss of the country’s longtime leader.

    Maduro has remained a close ally of Cuba, in his twitter message, he called on all the revolutionaries of the world to continue his legacy  under the flag of independence , socialism and homeland.

    In his message, China’s president Xi Jinping says, Castro “will live for ever” especially in the minds of those who loved and cherished him. (NAN)

  • Thousands gather in Johannesburg for Mandela

    Thousands gather in Johannesburg for Mandela

    Thousands of people are gathering at a stadium in Johannesburg for a memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

    United States President; Barack Obama, Cuban President; Raul Castro and United Nations Secretary General; Ban Ki-moon will address the service, as will four of Mr. Mandela’s grandchildren.

    The service at the 95,000-capacity FNB stadium is scheduled to start soon but people are still trying to enter.

    The former South African president died aged 95 last Thursday.

    The country is observing a series of commemorations leading up to the funeral on Sunday.

    The memorial service is one of the biggest gatherings of international dignitaries in recent years.

    BBC reports that many people stood in the rain waiting for several hours to get into the stadium.

    The report says the crowds are in high spirits – singing and dancing, stomping their feet – and the stadium is beginning to have the feel of a political rally.

    One of those attending, Shahida Rowe from Johannesburg, told the BBC: “The core of Mandela’s life was humanity. That is why I am here today and the world is celebrating.

    “Thanks to him, I was recognised as a human being.”

     

  • Cuba removes senior Communists

    Cuban leader Raul Castro has removed several senior Communists from the party’s powerful Central Committee, BBC reports.

    They include former parliament speaker and foreign minister Ricardo Alarcon, a close ally of ex-leader Fidel Castro.

    Mr. Castro said those leaving had not made any mistakes or committed any crimes. He said the changes marked a normal course of events.

    Mr. Alarcon, 76, one of Cuba’s most visible politicians, had been a member of the committee since 1992.

    He stepped down as speaker in February.

    Among the four others removed were Jose Miguel Miyar Barruecos, 81, who was secretary of the Council of State for three decades, and Misael Enamorado, 60, the party chief in Santiago de Cuba.

    Mr. Castro played down the significance of the move in comments broadcast on state television.

    “There’s a door you come in through; there’s a door you go out, without it meaning anything negative,” he said.

    Raul Castro became Cuba’s leader when his elder brother stepped down in 2008. In February he was elected to a second five-year term, which he said would be his last.

     

  • Leaders gather for Chavez funeral

    Leaders gather for Chavez funeral

    Leaders from Latin America and beyond are gathering in the Venezuelan capital Caracas for the funeral of President Hugo Chavez.

    After the funeral, Mr. Chavez’s body will be taken to a military museum to lie in state for another seven days, BBC reports.

    More than two million mourners have already filed past his body at a military academy.

    Mr. Chavez’s body is to be embalmed and placed on permanent display, Vice-President Nicolas Maduro said.

    Later on Friday, Mr. Maduro is due to be sworn in as acting president. As such, he must call elections within 30 days.

    Hugo Chavez, who led Venezuela for 14 years, died on Tuesday aged 58 after a long battle with cancer.

    More than 30 heads of state are expected to attend Friday’s funeral including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Cuban President Raul Castro and Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

    President Ahmadinejad has praised Mr. Chavez as a “martyr” and a “wise and revolutionary leader.”

    United States Congressman Gregory Meeks and former Congressman William Delahunt will represent the country. Mr. Chavez was a fierce critic of Washington.

    Mr. Maduro said that Mr. Chavez’s body would be embalmed “like Lenin and Mao Zedong”, and put on display for at least another seven days.

    The body will be moved to the Caracas military museum where in 1992 Mr. Chavez – as an army officer – was captured after leading a failed coup.