Iran’s President Condoles with Cuba over Castro’s Death

“Receiving the news of the death of Cuba’s untiring fighter and revolutionary leader, your dear brother Mr. Fidel Castro, caused deep sorrow and grief,” the Iranian chief executive said in a message to Cuba’s President Raul Castro on Saturday.

President Rouhani described it as fortunate that in a time when the world’s oppressed people are suffering from violation of the most fundamental human principles such as peace, justice and freedom, there are noble men who do not give up the struggle to raise the flag of seeking justice and peace until the last days of their life.

The president expressed condolences to Raul Castro and “the government and resistant people of Cuba and the Latin American region over the death of Cuba’s revolutionary leader and wish glory for the people of your country.”

Fidel Castro was born on August 13, 1926 to a Spanish immigrant father and a Cuban mother.

He took power in a 1959 revolution and ruled Cuba for 49 years with a mix of charisma and iron will, creating a one-party state and becoming a central figure in the Cold War.

He was demonized by the United States and its allies but admired by many leftists around the world, especially socialist revolutionaries in Latin America and Africa.

Transforming Cuba from a playground for rich Americans into a symbol of resistance to Washington, Castro outlasted nine US presidents in power.

During his revolutionary life, the United States’ spy agency, the CIA, attempted to assassinate him numerous times.

Castro himself said he survived 634 attempts or plots to assassinate him, mainly masterminded by the CIA or US-based exile organizations. Such attempts may have included poison pills, a toxic cigar, exploding mollusks, and a chemically tainted diving suit, among other things.

He died on Friday at the age of 90.

The Cuban government has announced a funeral for the late Cuban leader on December 4. Havana also announced nine days of mourning.