Cuban-Americans pour onto Florida streets to celebrate Castro’s death (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
Cuban-Americans in Florida have been gathering in the streets to celebrate the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro, under whose rule many thousands fled their island nation homes.
READ MORE: Fidel Castro dies: RT special coverage
Parties are taking place in the cities of Hialeah and Miami, home to the majority of Cuban exiles in the US, with celebrations particularly focused in the famous, vibrant Cuban neighborhood Little Havana.
The celebration in Miami after the death of Fidel Castro. @USATODAYpic.twitter.com/xWl1lbwfsC
— Alan Gomez (@alangomez) November 26, 2016
Drivers honking their horns, yelling communism is dead on west 49 street in Hialeah. @WPTVpic.twitter.com/ze0rdggHS6
— Michelle Quesada (@M_Quesada) November 26, 2016
The flags are out on 49th Street in Hialeah #FidelCastropic.twitter.com/asDdl544HL
— David Ovalle (@DavidOvalle305) November 26, 2016
Hundreds of Cuban Americans rejoiced upon hearing of Castro’s death Friday, waving Cuban flags, chanting “communism is dead” and banging pots and pans.
Thousands of people have fled Cuba over five decades to escape the oppressive communist regime enforced by Castro.
Fidel Castro is dead and the people gathered here in Little Havana in Miami are celebrating. #WEBNpic.twitter.com/aveuyMjtw7
— Javier Rodriguez (@WEBNtvRodriguez) November 26, 2016
MORE: Cuban-Americans react with cheers, song, and dance as news spreads about Fidel Castro's death. @nbc6pic.twitter.com/OSg70qdtfD
— Jamie Guirola (@jamieNBC6) November 26, 2016
And the cacerolas have arrived (pots and pans) as Miami's Cuban community celebrates Fidel Castro's death pic.twitter.com/eqJgfrEq89
— Vera Bergengruen (@VeraMBergen) November 26, 2016
The scenes of joy also included a show of American flags and a blow-up doll of US President-elect Donald Trump.
The scene in Little Havana right now as they alternate chants between "Trump" and "Cuba Libre!" celebrating the death of Fidel Castro#Cubapic.twitter.com/y2Yqd43zWx
— Jared Wyand 🇺🇸 (@JaredWyand) November 26, 2016
Cuban-Americans are celebrating the death of communist dictator Fidel Castro in Little Havana, dancing and waving Trump flags! #Cubapic.twitter.com/T6R0hpSivH
— Makada 🇺🇸 (@_Makada_) November 26, 2016
Cubans in Miami celebrate the death of Fidel Castro with flags, cheers, dancing (Photos: AFP) https://t.co/VXA7UJzCBgpic.twitter.com/PN5ElNRc3w
— Jessica Durando (@JessicaDurando) November 26, 2016
South Florida Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said the death of the ‘tyrant’ was the start of a new chapter for Cuba.
After so many decades of oppression the tyrant #Castro is dead and a new beginning can finally dawn on #Cuba and its people @nbc6
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) November 26, 2016
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado described Castro’s death as a “victory,” while Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said this was “something that we've been waiting for,” according to NBC Miami.
This year marked a number of significant milestones in the easing of frosty relations between the US and Cuba. US President Barack Obama became the first US president to visit Cuba in 88 years when he met with Fidel Castro’s brother and current Cuban President Raul Castro in March.
The historic meeting included the signing of several agreements aimed at increasing cooperation and economic investment between the two countries.
READ MORE: 'Embargo is going to end': Obama, Raul Castro speak after historic meeting in Cuba
Awkward! Obama left hanging after Castro deflects embrace (VIDEO) https://t.co/oUpVZO6G78pic.twitter.com/MAtC9J5TP5
— RT (@RT_com) March 23, 2016
In May, the first cruise ship in almost 40 years set sail from Miami to Havana, just weeks after Cuba lifted a ban on Cuban-born citizens entering the country by way of commercial sea vessels.
READ MORE: ‘Making history’: First US cruise ship in nearly 40 years reaches Cuba (PHOTOS)
