国际英语资讯:Legendary Cuban leader Fidel Castro passes away at 90_时事

国际英语资讯:Legendary Cuban leader Fidel Castro passes away at 90

HAVANA, Nov. 26 -- Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro died late Friday at the age of 90.

"With deep sorrow, I report to the Cuban people that our beloved leader Fidel Castro passed away at 10:29 pm on Friday (0329 GMT Saturday)," Cuban President Raul Castro said in a statement broadcast on Radio Reloj.

His body will be cremated according to his will. The organizing committee for his funeral will give more details of the mourning.

国际英语资讯:Legendary Cuban leader Fidel Castro passes away at 901

Castro had led Cuba for nearly half a century before stepping down in 2006 for health reasons. He was succeeded by Raul Castro.

Fidel Castro spent the last years of his life largely out of the public eye, writing editorials on world affairs for Cuba's official Granma daily, and receiving dignitaries at his home in Havana.

The last such meeting was with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on Nov. 15.

Castro's death has shocked Cuban people and the sorrow can be felt on the streets in Havana, where people went out to mourn the revolution leader.

David Matinez, 19, was with friends at the renowned Presidents Avenue in central Havana early Saturday morning. He said he heard the news from a policeman, who asked him and his friends to tune down the music in a gesture of respect.

"This is shocking news. Although Fidel is 90 years old, it still comes as a surprise to everyone. Fidel has always been a father figure to all Cubans. There would be nothing that we have now without him."