Fidel Castro Dead At 90: Cuban Revolutionary Dies After Failing Health

UPDATE: 5 a.m. EST — Cuba will mourn long-time leader Fidel Castro’s death for nine days, according to reports. His funeral will be held on Dec. 4 and his ashes will be interred at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, the Guardian reported.

Cubans can pay their last respects to Castro at the José Martí memorial in Havana on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29, when a mass rally will be held in the capital.

Original story:

Former Cuban leader and revolutionary Fidel Castro has died, Cuban state television announced Saturday. He was 90.

“The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours [10:29 EST] this evening,” Cuban President Raul Castro said, according to Deutsche Welle.

Castro will be cremated Saturday, the president reportedly said.

Castro led the Cuban Revolution on Jan. 1, 1959 and was the head of the country till 2008. He led the country for five decades, making him the world’s third longest-serving head of state, after Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and the recently-deceased King of Thailand. He temporarily gave up power to Raul in July 2006 following intestinal surgery. However, he officially gave up power to his younger brother in 2008.

Various reactions poured in from the U.S. and the world.