Cuba's President Castro
File photo of Cuba's President Castro addressing crowd during 53rd anniversary of Moncada barracks attack Reuters

Cuba's former president Fidel Castro, who kept communism alive in the Caribbean island nation and gave a stern fight to the United State's dominance, died on 25 November at the age of 90.

The news was confirmed by the communist leader's brother Raul Castro who said on state television that his brother passed away on Friday night at 10:29 p.m. "The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours this evening," said President Raul Castro, BBC reported.

The reason for his death was not disclosed but it is revealed that he will be cremated today. Fidel Castro was the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and then the President from 1976 to 2008 and was responsible for converting Cuba into a one-party socialist state under Communist Party rule.

An ardent follower of Marxist-Leninist model of development, Castro nationalised industry and business in the country and implemented state socialist reforms. Experts argue that without Castro and his excellent leadership Cuba would not have got its independence from imperialism.

Though he is often seen as a champion of socialism, anti-imperialism and humanitarianism, he is often criticised as a totalitarian dictator whose administration oversaw multiple human-rights abuses and was held responsible for the impoverishment of the country's economy.

People took to Twitter to express their viewpoint after the leader died. While some posted that they are extremely glad that the autocratic leader is no more, others expressed grief for the comrade.