Through an intervention made on Cuban television, Army General Raúl Castro details: "Dear people of Cuba: With deep sorrow I appear to inform our people, the friends of our America and the world, that today November 25, 2016, at 10:29 pm, the Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, passed away. In compliance with the express will of comrade Fidel, his remains will be cremated. In the early hours of tomorrow, Saturday the 26th, the Funeral Organizing Commission will provide our people with detailed information on the organization of the posthumous homage to be paid to the founder of the Cuban Revolution. To victory always!".

Raul Castro 

He was born in the area of Biran, Oriente province, on June 3, 1931. When he was 22 years old, he participated in the assault to the "Moncada" barracks. Raul was in the group that occupied the Palace of Justice.  He was arrested several days later. He was tried and sentenced to prison. Until May 1955 he was in the Model Prison of Isla de Pinos. Then he left for Mexico where he collaborated with Fidel in the reorganization of the revolutionary combatants who would prepare in that country to resume the struggle in Cuba. He was part of the group of 82 expeditionary that returned to Cuba in 1956 aboard the Granma yacht. Subsequently, he was one of the most outstanding combatants and as a result he was promoted to the rank of Commander and was assigned to lead the Second Eastern Front "Frank País". From 1959 onwards, he carried out various responsibilities and stood out as a prestigious leader of the Revolution. He was also Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Second Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers. Also between 2008 and 2018 he was the President of the Councils of State and Ministers. Since 2011 he was elected as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, a position he held until April 2021.