Elian Gonzalez and Others Pay Tribute in Havana

Elian Gonzalez

Ahead of this evening’s memorial ceremony, millions of Cubans have been paying their respects to Fidel Castro where his body lies in state in Havana. World leaders have also been paying tribute. Two such leaders are President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and Evo Morales of Bolivia, whose countries also subscribe to similar policies as Castro’s Cuba. Many of the mourners are young people who have never lived in a time other than under Fidel Castro’s leadership. To them, he is a father figure, almost a father in addition to his own children. Telesur network spoke to two of these, including the well-known Elian Gonzalez, who developed a friendship with Fidel after his late-nineties custody battle became world news.

Elian Gonzalez, Admirer of Fidel Castro [Translated]

“Today Fidel is greater. If Fidel was great while alive, today he is immense, infinite. Today Fidel is within every person whom he has touched worldwide. And how were they touched? They were touched by the revolution – they were tended medically, educated, saved. And that is the way we remember Fidel. Today he is omnipresent, a giant. He is everywhere.”

Jose Humberto

Jose Humberto, Admirer of Fidel Castro [Translated]

“It is a very difficult time, very sad for our revolution, for our country, but also for the youth who I represent here today. I am the fruit of Fidel’s legacy, of [Jose] Marti’s legacy. To speak of Fidel is to speak of greatness, of dignity, of ethics. He represents all the moral values and principles that are within a human being.”

After a three-day journey east to Fidel’s native Santiago de Cuba, his ashes will be interred following a final service on December third. Channel Five will be airing coverage of the memorial service after the newscast.