Fidel Castro speaks of death in address to Cuba's Communist Party
Retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro emerged from seclusion on April 19 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 August 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."
As with other stage-managed appearances in recent years he not shown standing, even as his brother and all the delegates rose to their feet in his honor. But he looked healthier than he did for a long time after a serious illness that led him to relinquish power 10 years ago.
Fidel Castro took power in a 1959 revolution and led the country until 2006, when he fell ill. He now lives in relative seclusion but occasionally writes opinion pieces or appears meeting with visiting dignitaries.
