Little-known facts about former Cuban leader Fidel Castro

(Baonghean.vn) - On November 26, Cuban state media reported that former leader Fidel Castro passed away on the night of November 25 (local time), at the age of 90. Let's take a look back at some aspects of Fidel's life that not everyone knows.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro (right) and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (left) met in Havana on October 26. Photo: Reuters.

Fidel Castro led Cuba for five decades and was the third longest-serving head of state in the world, after the Queen of England and the King of Thailand. He temporarily handed over power to his brother Raul in July 2006 after undergoing intestinal surgery. The official transfer of power took place in 2008.

* In his final years, Castro made only occasional public appearances, mostly in videos and photographs documenting meetings with guests. He wrote hundreds of articles for mainstream Cuban media. Due to mobility issues, he was only seen in public twice in 2012 and twice in 2013. After that, he only attended the inauguration of a cultural center on January 8, 2014, although many photographs of distinguished guests visiting Castro's home later emerged.

* Castro holds the record for the longest speech ever given at the United Nations: 4 hours and 29 minutes, on September 26, 1960, according to the UN website. One of his longest speeches reached 7 hours and 30 minutes, on February 24, 1998, after the Cuban National Assembly reappointed him for a five-year term as President.

Castro stated that he survived 634 assassination attempts or plots, mostly planned by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and diaspora organizations based in the US. These plots included poisoning, poisoned cigars, a chemically treated diving suit, and even a plan to use chalk to make his beard fall out, thereby ruining his reputation.

* Despite those conspiracies, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and five decades of persistent economic sanctions against Cuba, Castro remained in office through nine US presidencies, from Dwight Eisenhower to Bill Clinton, and stepped down while George W. Bush was in office.

* Castro used to smoke Cuban cigars but quit the habit in 1985. Years later, he summed up the harm of smoking cigars by saying: "The best thing you can do with this box of cigars is give it to your enemy."

* In 2012, Time magazine named Castro one of the 100 most influential people of all time.

Phu Binh

(According to Reuters)