Dead at 90 from old age... the man they tried to kill 638 times
Delight in US at Cuban icon’s demise
THE Americans hatched plans in 1961 to ensure sworn enemy Fidel Castro would be dead within weeks.
But the Cuban leader dodged the numerous and often bizarre CIA plots to kill him over the years – including the idea of giving him a box of exploding cigars.
After surviving an estimated 638 assassination attempts he finally succumbed to old age and illness on Friday aged 90.
Many who he exiled – or who fled – greeted the news with delight.
Flag-waving Cubans took to the streets in the US, chanting “the old man is dead” and “Cuba is free”.
But figures from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Castro.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said: “Fidel held his ground and strengthened his country at the time of the harshest American blockade, at the time of massive pressure on him.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hailed Castro as “a massive figure in the history of the whole planet”. But he acknowledged Cuba’s revolutionary leader had “flaws”. Mr Corbyn praised Castro’s “heroism”, adding: “I think history will show Castro was such a key figure, it seems he has been with us for ever.” Castro seized power in Cuba in 1959 – soon taking the world to the brink of nuclear war – and ruled until illness forced him to retire 10 years ago. He cut a determined figure in the face of huge international pressure, US sanctions and the plots to kill him. Castro once said: “If surviving assassination attempts were an Olympic event, I would win the gold medal.” Plans included poisoning one of his trademark cigars. Another idea involved placing exploding seashells in one of his favourite diving spots. The CIA also engaged the Mafia to smuggle poisoned pills on to the Caribbean island and slip them in his food. Then there were the schemes designed to discredit him such as poisoning him with thallium salts to make his beard fall out. Another plan was to spray LSD all over