government allotted more than $1 billion in resources aimed at either killing or removing Castro from power in Cuba, according to Al Jazeera. “Although no leader is without their flaws, we must push back against the rhetoric of the right and come to the defense of El Comandante,” read the statement. government “left us to die on rooftops and in floodwaters,” as examples of Castro’s dedication toward the plight of black individuals. Titled “Lessons from Fidel: Black Lives Matter and the Transition of El Comandante,” the statement said group members were “indebted” to the Cuban revolutionary leader for providing “a space where the traditional spiritual work of African people could flourish.” The Black Lives Matter movement cited Castro providing resources to the desperate people of Haiti after an earthquake in 2010 left more than 300,000 dead, and his “attempting” to support the black people of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, while the U.S. “As Fidel ascends to the realm of the ancestors, we summon his guidance, strength, and power as we recommit ourselves to the struggle for universal freedom. among “people of color” in places like North Dakota. adversary who ruled Cuba for almost 50 years as an ideal revolutionary leader because of his insistence that healthy food, clean water, healthcare, paid vacations and education were all “requirements of any humane society,” while the freedom of “oppressed people” remained prevalent in the U.S. He became the face of Communist Cuba over the past decade, after working as a guerrilla commander and later as a senior figure in the socialist government.The Black Lives Matter movement mourned the death of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in a statement Sunday, saying they were similarly on a “revolution” to create a world of “freedom” and “peace.” The statement hailed the authoritarian dictator and staunch U.S. Raul Castro succeeded his brother Fidel Castro as the head of the Communist party in 2011. The economy has stagnated for years and contracted by 11% last year. Reform-minded Cuban economists have long called for the role of small businesses to be expanded to help jump-start the economy and to create jobs. Earlier this year, the Cuban government implemented a plan to unify Cuba's dual currency and allowed private businesses to operate in most sectors of the country, in the biggest reform to Cuba's state-controlled economy for years. The last year saw food shortages and discontent from the public over growing inequality. He denounced "inertia, conformism" and lack of initiative in state-owned companies.Ĭastro's resignation comes at a time when Cuba is reeling from an economic crisis, deepened by the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions imposed by the Trump-era US administration. In his resignation speech, Raul Castro said that it was important to speed up reforms. Following Raul Castro's retirement on Friday, Cuba will no longer have a Castro formally involved in the country's affairs, after more than six decades. Fidel Castro then dominated Cuban politics until 2006, when his failing health forced him to start transferring power to his younger brother Raul. The Castro era started with communist guerrilla leader Fidel ousting US-backed strongman Fulgencio Batista in 1959. He said that he was handing over to a new leadership who were party loyalists and "full of passion and anti-imperialist spirit." Cuban President Diaz-Canel (center right) is expected to succeed Castro Image: Ariel Ley Royero/ACN/AP Photo/picture allianceĬastro didn't reveal his successor, but has previously indicated favoring Miguel Diaz-Canel, who took over as the president of the country in 2018. "As long as I live I will be ready with my foot in the stirrup to defend the homeland, the revolution and socialism with more force than ever," said Castro, who took over the helm of the party in 2011. The 89-year-old leader said that he wasn't forced to step down from his post as the party's first secretary. Instead, he was retiring after having "fulfilled his mission" and was also "confident in the future of the fatherland."Ĭastro made the announcement at the eighth congress of the ruling party, part of which was aired on state television.
Raul Castro, the figurehead of Cuba's Communist party over the past decade, announced his resignation on Friday.
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