Fidel Castro, former president of Cuba and one of the longest-serving leaders in the world, has died, aged 90.
The news was announced earlier today by his younger brother, and successor as president, Raul Castro.
Castro was an iconic leader and one of the most divisive figures in history, with his supporters believing he gave Cuba back to its people after toppling the government in 1959 and starting a communist revolution. His critics would say he was a dictator. His relationship with the US was also particularly strained.
During his time as president, Castro was demonized by the US, he successfully fended off several assassination attempts as well as a CIA-backed invasion in 1961. He was generally considered a hero by those on the left, especially with socialist revolutionaries in South America.
He stepped down as president in 2008 due to poor health, handing power to his younger brother.
He will be cremated later tonight and there will be several days of mourning.
In a public address, Raul Castro stated:
“The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours [03:29 GMT Saturday].”
While this will not change anything politically, it does signify the end of an era somewhat.
