Fidel Castro speaks of death in address to Cuba’s Communist Party

Castro (left) speaking at the closing of the Communist Party Congress. Photo: Reuters
Castro (left) speaking at the closing of the Communist Party Congress. Photo: Reuters

Retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro emerged from seclusion on Tuesday to muse about death and provide encouragement to his followers, in a rare speech at the closing of a Communist Party congress in Havana.

“Soon I will be 90 years old,” he said. “Soon I will be like all the rest. Everybody’s turn comes,” Castro, whose birthday is Aug. 13, told 1,300 party activists gathered at a Havana convention center where he delivered countless, hours-long speeches during his rule.

Cries of “Fidel, Fidel” once again rang out as the now frail former leader made his most extensive public appearance in years, speaking with a strong, if slightly hoarse, voice.

“Perhaps this will be one of the last times I speak in this room,” said Castro, sporting a blue tracksuit jacket, glasses and wispy gray beard.

“The ideas of Cuban Communists will remain,” he said, “as proof that on this planet, if you work hard and with dignity, you can produce the material and cultural goods human beings need.”

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19 Comments

  1. amanda
    April 25, 2016

    Maybe Dominicans could follow some of his principles: eat what you grow, grow what you eat. Simple. You would see how things would change for the economy. Stop importing all the crap that people are eating and getting sick. Go back to nature. Stop importing can foods. Go local. Stop eating “paper foods”, foods eaten from a box or paper box; corn flakes, etc, CORN;GENETICALLY MODIFIED. Waif a few years, see what happens to those who eat these…..Start using coconut oil again. Some time ago, we were told it was not good. Now, thats the best thing being advertised by Drs. Cant even afford it, it is so expensive if you out of DA. 100ml $20.00US.
    Start planting trees everywhere, that will clean the environment.

  2. bengger
    April 24, 2016

    Dear Mr Castro,

    You have had a truly eventful life, I am in awe and am thankful for the way you felt to take upon yourself of making a change in your country. This is so much in need today I know your life is fulfilled and wish you only deep respect, travel wisely enlightened brother.

    May you do as much in your future,
    love

  3. A Alie
    April 22, 2016

    Castro has always been a misunderstood leader! A man who did his best to include everyone into his revolution, including Whites, only to be refused by Eisenhower. Patrice Lumumba was the same. These men are heroes to those come from the south, and know first-hand how European-American activities were in place to exploit, demean, and enslave Africa, and Latin America. Black people do not thank Castro enough! He taught us that we embody the same intellect, and capabilities to govern our own resources without the help of those to the North. No leader is perfect, but Fidel Castro deserves a lot of credit.

  4. April 21, 2016

    Castro said in his speech that he is leaving for the young ones to take control because his brother Raul has decided to do the same,,America had 638 plans to kill him,did Castro do any thing to America?no.he only stood up to them ,as any real man should do,standing for your rights and never give up.Castro said” his patrie or death.America tried 10 out of it’s 638 plans to kill him but all failed.I have no interest in America nor Cuba but Cuba made it very well every after America placed an embargo on Cuba preventing cargo ships from coming to Cuba and any ship leaving Cuba in order to provide for the country…

  5. April 21, 2016

    A 90 year old Pampa wearing guy still want to be dictating to a nation. Why is Raul so scared of a 90 year old Fidel. Just check out his posture – his body language shows that Fidel is in charge.

  6. April 21, 2016

    After the game, the king and the pawn go in the same box.

    • April 21, 2016

      Don’t forget the on-lookers..they /we will also follow..

  7. Dante Jones
    April 20, 2016

    NO dictator no matter his extent of power cannot escape the grip of death. Sorry bro but you will follow in the footsteps of your comrade in venezuela and hopefully the iron grip that you held over the country will start to loosen.

  8. Face the Facts
    April 20, 2016

    Castro has changed only a little; not enough. He made it clear that communist rule will remain. What a way to die, leaving behind oppressed nationals who are still shackled to his communist rule. It is not a good way to enter eternity. The finality of it all will be between God and his soul.

  9. April 20, 2016

    Fidel Castro knows he is approaching the end of his earthly journey.

    Capitalist or communist, no matter if we have succeeded or failed in the eyes of he majority, or been loved or hated by them, eventually there may be little or nothing to look forward to.

    For some the excitement will go first and boredom will slowly take over. However, some remain vibrant to the end waiting for the utopia that never comes – and like Castro – trying to leave his followers with a hope to hold onto, a hope he himself never saw materialize.

    Castro drove the missionaries out of Cuba and destroyed their homes. Some of them are my friends. They have already forgiven him and wish him no ill. We all pray there will be a moment in time this side of eternity when he encounters Christ and receives Him so our Savior will be his Savior to.

    Visit http://www.livinghopeministries.ca Click onto SERMONS. Listen to my sermon WHAT THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD DID NOT KNOW.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…

    • Dante Jones
      April 20, 2016

      Wow your outlook on life paints a pretty bleak picture. I guess the only way for you life to have meaning is to join your congregations right? And then once you have people trapped in your illusion you start telling them they have to give up 10% of their income every month to support the church.

    • Positive
      April 21, 2016

      More homes were destroyed because of your type all those with the title rev. father etc. , History doesn’t lie rev. :twisted:
      Viva Fidel

      • April 22, 2016

        Your comment is like your worldview: contradictory, and senseless!

        Destroyed by who and why? In what way did this help the communist cause?

        Is this the normal mindset of the communist regime? Is it O.K. to destroy the homes of people we dislike, or disagree with? Somebody has a religion we don’t like, or a political view we resent, so we level or burn down their home?

        On one hand the Cuban government advertises for Canadians to visit Cuba. A friend of mine flew down with Bibles, and barrels and boxes of necessities for the poor. He was arrested, accused of being a CIA operative, and interrogated. This resulted in Canadians deciding not to go there for their holidays.

        But cheers! The churches our missionaries established before the revolution are still operating.
        A new highly trained missionary force are waiting for their passports. They will be met at the Cuban airport by the faithful.

        Jesus is Lord!

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  10. I often wonder.
    April 20, 2016

    Soon to be ousted Neo -DLP leader will be no more in France NI( certainly not Caracas)Like Baby Doc ,Gairy ,etc will fall along the way side garbage heap of past political trash where they more than belong.

    “Soon I will be 42 years old,” he said. “Soon I will be like all the rest of those who fell thru the political cracks. Every shit head’s turn comes, so will mine.”

    No Cries of “Skerrit Skerrit, certainy no ring out as the now fatty leader has nowhere nor way to turn DA around, but to rely on passport sales to crooks. made his

    “The ideas of the Neo -DLP will surely revert to what it was prior to 2004 ,” he said, “as proof that on this island, if you fell between the cracks when the country is in need D/cans will continue to be a faild state.

  11. Noreen
    April 20, 2016

    No man is an Island, start repenting because
    there’s going to be a time when you can’t even
    say a word and that’s going today be the best
    part.

  12. Tjebe Fort
    April 20, 2016

    Yes Sir, death treats everybody equally, communist and capitalist and both love the U.S. dollar. When you are dead, you are dead same way but the .$. still strong.

    • TI-SAVANT
      April 20, 2016

      ChangeTjebe Fort 2 TI SORT

      • Tjebe Fort
        April 21, 2016

        Ti- savant tell me honestly then brother that you are going to live for ever and do not like the U.S.$$$$. Your name explains a lot small smarty pants.

    • April 21, 2016

      The $ may be strong or it may die.

      It may soar or it may bottom out.

      Two facts will not change.

      (1) You cannot take it with you.

      (2) No matter how many of them you have they will not buy your way into heaven.

      It matters not how much money there is in your family or how much your friends have. Regardless of how much they give to have prayers said, candles lit, or incense burned, they cannot buy you one moment of time in heaven.

      The price for your salvation was paid in full on the cross at Calvary when the Lord Jesus suffered, bled, and died for you! You must TRUST that and nothing else to put your sins away, and take you into heaven!

      When He was on the cross you were on His mind!

      Please read Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 5:11-13.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

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