by Carrie Zhang, contributing reporter
Fidel Castro passed away on Friday November 25th, at the age of 90. He was Cuba’s revolutionary leader who opposed the United States for half a century.
Over the past few years, his health declined. Castro had to step aside from all of his work due to a serious illness that had hit him in 2006. He resigned as president in 2008, having his brother, Raul Castro, to succeed his position.
His death was announced by Raul Castro on Cuban television, but other information was not given. Following the news, many celebrities, journalists, and political figures shared their thoughts. Some celebrities like Camila Cabello, Gloria Estefan, and Lauren Jauregui were devastated.
“Although the death of a human being is rarely a cause for celebration, it is the symbolic death of the destructive ideologies that he espoused that, I believe, is filling the Cuban exile community with renewed hope and a relief that has been long in coming,” Estefan wrote on Twitter.
Camila Cabello, former Fifth Harmony member, who was born in Cojímar, Cuba, shared a message on Twitter, “I want nothing more than to see the families that were divided to come together again and for all the years of pain to come to an end. ”
I want nothing more than to see the families that were divided to come together again and for all the years of pain to come to an end. ??❤️
— Camila Cabello (@camilacabello97) November 26, 2016
Lauren Jauregui’s parents, who are Cuban, shared a photo of people holding the Cuban flag and said “SE MURIO LA CUCARAHAAAA #CU`BALIBRE QUE FELICIDAD!!! Se que mis abuelitas estan bailando juntas…” According to Oceanup, the tweet is translated as, “THE COCKROACH DIED #FREECUBA HAPPINESS! I know that my grannies are dancing together at the party in the sky where they are singing songs of freedom and happiness my dear Celia Cruz #CUBAAAAAAA.“
A student in the school also shared their opinions upon his death.
“I don’t really care because I’m not Cuban so it doesn’t really affect me. No, I don’t think the relationship between Cuba and America would change because our president-elect Donald Trump is more focused on internal affairs rather than foreign affairs,” sophomore Jamila Tejada said.
Mr. Reff, who holds an extensive knowledge on Hispanic culture shared his thoughts.
“I felt bad that someone died. Not that it’s the worst thing that has happened. I hope democracy runs in that country,” Spanish teacher Mr. Reff said.
To many individuals, they might believe that Castro was a bad person but to people who have family members from Cuba they believe otherwise.
Featured image in courtesy of Todo Gaceta on Flickr.
