Share

Fidel Castro: I don't trust the US

Havana - Fidel Castro has said in a letter attributed to him that he does not trust the US, nor has he spoken with representatives from the country, as read out on state television on Monday.

"That does not represent - far from it - a rejection of peacefully settling conflicts," said the 88-year-old’s letter, a week after communist Cuba and the United States held landmark talks in Havana as they attempt to normalise ties.

US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced on 17 December that the Cold War rivals would work to normalise relations that broke off in 1961.

Pope Francis played a central role in mediating the secret negotiations that led to the December announcement.

In Washington, some Cuban-American lawmakers have criticised Obama, saying the administration had given up too much without securing human rights commitments.

Yet what many observers found most stunning in so much change is that the leader of Cuba's 1959 revolution - a lawyer by training famous for speaking for hours in excruciating detail - has yet to publicly comment about the detente that his brother Raul, 83, has engaged with his old enemy.

Obama has called on Congress to lift the US embargo on Havana, and used executive powers to ease some travel and trade restrictions. He has also given the State Department six months to review whether Cuba should remain on the terror list.

Fidel Castro stepped aside in 2006 during a health crisis. Cuba is the Americas' only one party Communist-ruled country.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 862 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 424 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.85
+0.9%
Rand - Pound
23.59
+0.9%
Rand - Euro
20.20
+1.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.6%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+1.6%
Platinum
925.70
+0.0%
Palladium
973.50
-1.7%
Gold
2,344.07
+0.5%
Silver
27.59
+0.6%
Brent Crude
89.01
+1.1%
Top 40
69,240
+1.2%
All Share
75,186
+1.2%
Resource 10
63,091
+1.6%
Industrial 25
103,500
+1.0%
Financial 15
15,986
+1.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE