Latest Fidel Castro News

Afro-Cuban drums, Muslim prayers, Buddhist mantras: Religious diversity blooms in once-atheist Cuba

May. 16, 2024 10:45 AM EDT

HAVANA (AP) — The 1959 Castro-led revolution installed an atheist, Communist government that sought to replace the Catholic Church as the guiding force in the lives of Cubans. But 65 years later, religion seems omnipresent in Cuba, in dazzling diversity. The bells...

Afro-Cuban drums, Muslim prayers, Buddhist mantras: Religious diversity blooms in once-atheist Cuba

May. 16, 2024 08:22 AM EDT

HAVANA (AP) — The 1959 Castro-led revolution installed an atheist, Communist government that sought to replace the Catholic Church as the guiding force in the lives of Cubans. But 65 years later, religion seems omnipresent in Cuba, in dazzling diversity. The bells...

Today in History: April 17, US launches Bay of Pigs invasion to topple Fidel Castro in Cuba

Apr. 17, 2024 00:01 AM EDT

Today is Wednesday, April 17, the 108th day of 2024. There are 258 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On April 17, 1961, some 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro,...

Former US ambassador sentenced to 15 years in prison for serving as secret agent for Cuba

Apr. 12, 2024 18:06 PM EDT

MIAMI (AP) — A former career U.S. diplomat was sentenced Friday to 15 years in federal prison after admitting he worked for decades as a secret agent for communist Cuba, a plea agreement that leaves many unanswered questions about a betrayal that stunned the U.S. foreign service. ...

Morocco hosts one of Africa’s first exhibitions of Cuban art, a milestone for Afro-Cuban painters

Apr. 03, 2024 03:52 AM EDT

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — When Morocco 's King Mohamed VI visited Havana in 2017, Cuban-American gallery owner Alberto Magnan impressed him with a “full immersion” in the Caribbean island's art and culture, drawing a line between the cultural and historical themes tackled by Cuban artists and...

LGBTQ-inclusive church in Cuba welcomes all in a country that once sent gay people to labor camps

Apr. 01, 2024 16:32 PM EDT

MATANZAS, Cuba (AP) — Proudly wearing a rainbow-colored clergy stole and a rainbow flag in her clerical collar, the Rev. Elaine Saralegui welcomed all to her LGBTQ+ inclusive church in the Cuban port city of Matanzas. “We’re all invited. And no one can exclude us,” Saralegui...

Today in History: February 16, Fidel Castro becomes premier of Cuba

Feb. 16, 2024 00:14 AM EST

Today in History Today is Friday, Feb. 16, the 47th day of 2024. There are 319 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 16, 1959, Fidel Castro became premier of Cuba a month and a-half after the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista. ...