He outlasted nine US presidents and stood at the helm of a revolution that altered the course of Cuba for more than 50 years. Even after he stood down as the country’s leader 10 years ago, a decision he made as a result of poor health, he continued to exert a powerful influence.
On Sunday, Cuba's nine days of mourning for Fidel Castro came to a dramatic climax, as his ashes were interred in a private ceremony in the east of the nation.
A military caravan bearing Castro’s remains in a flag-draped cedar coffin left the Plaza of the Revolution in the eastern city of Santiago at 6.39am, the Associated Press said. Many thousands lined the two-mile route to the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, waving flags and shouting “Long live Fidel!”
The Cuban military fired a 21-gun salute and crowds at the entrance to the cemetery sang the national anthem as the ashes entered about 40 minutes later, the AP said.
The ceremony lasted more than an hour and took place out of the public eye after Cuban officials made a last-minute cancellation of plans to broadcast the events live on national and international television.
International media were also barred from the ceremony.
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