MIAMI _ Fidel Castro's oldest son _ Fidel "Fidelito" Castro Diaz-Balart _ committed suicide Thursday, according to Cuba's state media.
Castro, 68, known as "Fidelito," had been seeking medical attention for the past few months after falling into a "deep depression," reported the Cuban state government.
He shot himself in the head in Havana, according to reports from Cuba.
"His delicate health situation required hospitalization and then continued with outpatient follow-ups as he reintegrated himself back into society," a reporter said on Cuban television.
Fidelito was born to Fidel Castro's first wife, Mirta Diaz-Balart. He was cousin to Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart _ two South Florida Republican political leaders known for their vehement opposition to Castro. Mario is a U.S. House member; his brother Lincoln is a former member of the U.S. House and now an attorney.
Along with Castro's wife, Dalia Soto del Valle, Fidelito and six siblings formed Castro's family.
Jaime Suchlicki, director of Coral Gables, Fla.-based nonprofit Cuban Studies Institute, said Fidelito was the only one of Castro's children who chose a life in government and politics.
"He worked with his father, and his father tried to build him up," Suchlicki said.
The son was sent to the Soviet Union to study nuclear physics, and he helmed Cuba's nuclear power program from 1980 to 1992. That's when Castro publicly fired his son.
"He was fired for incompetence," the father declared.
In the twilight of Castro's life, Fidelito's role and stature diminished, a trend that continued when Castro's brother, Raul Castro, took over in 2006. Fidel Castro died in November 2016 at age 90.
Fidelito had a limited role after Raul became Cuba's leader.
"In the past few years, his star had been declining. He hadn't been doing much," Suchlicki said. "I understand he was depressed for a while."
Prior to his death, Fidelito served as a scientific adviser to the Cuban government and was the vice president of the country's Academy of Sciences.
Funeral arrangements will be made by the family, according to Cuban officials.
