Fidel Castro dies at 90 | The Cuban dictator |

Fidel Castro, a Communist revolutionary who came to rule Cuba with an iron fist, died, his brother, President Raul Castro announced. Sandy Hooper/USA TODAY Sandy Hooper, USA TODAY

Fidel Castro, the Cuban dictator who helped bring the world to the brink of nuclear war, tormented 11 American presidents and exerted almost total control over the last remaining communist government in the Western Hemisphere, died Friday. He was 90.

President Raúl Castro delivered a statement on Cuban television to confirm his brother's death:

“With profound pain I appear to inform our people and the friends of the Americas and of the world, that today, November 25, at 10:29 pm, the Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz died. In compliance with the expressed will of the Companion Fidel, his remains will be cremated. In the early hours of Saturday the 26th, the funeral organizing committee will provide our people with detailed information on the organization of the posthumous tribute that will be done for the founder of the Cuban Revolution. Ever onward to victory!”

The Cuban government will observe nine days of mourning for Fidel Castro. After two days of observances in Revolution Plaza in Havana, Castro’s ashes will be transported across the country to the eastern city of Santiago. The final Mass and ceremony will take place Dec. 4, and his ashes will be interred in the cemetery of Santa Ifigenia.

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