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Fidel Castro's death has been announced by Cuban state television:
Cuba's former president Fidel Castro, one of the world's longest-serving and most iconic leaders, has died aged 90. His younger brother and successor as president Raul Castro announced the news on state television.
Castro toppled the government in 1959, introducing a Communist revolution. He defied the US for decades, surviving many assassination plots. His supporters said he had given Cuba back to the people. Critics saw him as a dictator.
Ashen and grave, President Castro told the nation in an unexpected late night broadcast on state television that Fidel Castro had died and would be cremated later on Saturday. "The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours this evening (03:29 GMT Saturday)," he said. "Towards victory, always!" he added, using a revolutionary slogan. A period of official mourning has been declared on the island until 4 December, when his ashes will be laid to rest in the south-eastern city of Santiago.
Also at Bloomberg (world leaders react), Washington Post, NYT, The Guardian, CNN, NPR, WSJ, PBS, and Reuters. Editorials at the Miami Herald and Daily Beast.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by bzipitidoo on Saturday November 26 2016, @07:33PM
The ruling elites have to start reform well before revolution breaks out. If they instead quash reform, go so far as to use force to end strikes and demonstrations and the like, they're stoking the hate and trapping themselves. Once mass violence breaks out, then exile or death may indeed be the only options, as you say.
But things don't always turn violent. Gorbachev didn't have to leave when the Soviet Union fell, as he didn't try resorting to force to hang on, and he was one of the victims of the putsch, and had been trying to reform. Even the perps, the Gang of Eight, didn't have to leave, though many did spend 18 months in prison when their putsch collapsed.