- Title: Havana’s Revolution Square to host homage to Fidel Castro
- Date: 26th November 2016
- Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (NOVEMBER 26, 2016) (REUTERS) A GOVERNMENT MOTORCADE PASSING IN FRONT OF THE HAVANA'S REVOLUTION SQUARE TOURISTS TAKING PICTURE OF MOTORCADE SOLDIER ASKING CAMERAMAN NOT TO FILM GOVERNMENT MOTORCADE MORE OF GOVERNMENT MOTORCADE CUBAN FLAG AT HALF-MAST AT THE REVOLUTION SQUARE THE OBELISK AND MONUMENT TO CUBAN HERO JOSE MARTI WITH CARS PASSING IN FRONT OF THE SQUARE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN RESIDENT, OBEL CATILLA, SAYING: "He supported lots of countries, both in Africa and Latin America. And well, he was somebody who was really valuable. It really is an irreplaceable loss." CRANE CLEARING SCAFFOLDING FROM A PLANNED MILITARY PARADE THE JOSE MARTI MONUMENT VARIOUS OF CUBAN TELEVISION AND RADIO TRUCKS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH TOURIST, LORENZO ARTECHE, SAYING: "It's the death of a world figure, who in his day revolutionized history." SECURITY GUARD AT A MILITARY POST TOURISTS WALKING THROUGH REVOLUTION SQUARE GENERAL VIEW OF THE SQUARE AS THE SUN SETS HAVANA AT NIGHT
- Embargoed: 11th December 2016 23:49
- Keywords: Cuba Fidel Castro death Revolution Suare
- Location: HAVANA, CUBA
- City: HAVANA, CUBA
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0015A30EH3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Havana's Revolution Square was quiet on Saturday (November 26), just a day after Cuban President Raul Castro announced the death of his brother and Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro.
Nine days of mourning has begun in honour of the combative Cold War icon who dominated the island's political life for generations.
Alcohol sales were suspended, flags flew at half-staff and shows and concerts were cancelled after Castro's younger brother and successor, President Raul Castro, told the country on Friday (November 25) that Fidel had died at 10:29 p.m., without giving a cause of death.
Giant rallies are planned in Revolution Square starting on Monday (November 28) and in the eastern city of Santiago to honour Castro, who died aged 90, six decades after the brothers set out from Mexico to overthrow U.S.-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.
Streets were quiet following the news, and some normally busy restaurants were all but empty, but Castro's death did not bring daily life in Havana to a complete halt. There was some life at Revolution Square as workers cleared scaffolding that was to be used in a military parade that has now been postponed.
Tourists also toured the iconic square and snapped pictures as a government motorcade passed by on its way to the Ministry of Armed Forces.
One local resident, Obel Catilla, said the leader would be missed.
"He supported lots of countries, both in Africa and Latin America. And well, he was somebody who was really valuable. It really is an irreplaceable loss," Catilla said.
"It's the death of a world figure, who in his day revolutionized history," said Spanish tourist Lorenzo Arteche.
Castro's remains were cremated, and his ashes will be taken around Cuba until a state funeral on December 4.
Western diplomatic officials said foreign dignitaries will arrive by Tuesday (November 29) for a memorial service due to be held in Revolution Square that evening. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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