Ramon Labanino, one of the Cuban Five, and his wife Elizabeth Palmeiro, both close friends of the editors of MLToday.com, were among the first  to react to the death of Fidel Castro.

Fidel, the commander in chief, our leader, our Fidel, has died in Havana this Friday, November 25th. But he enters into eternity.

Today I cry, my family cries, all of Cuba cries for him. We think of Dalia, his long-time spouse and we cry with her and her children. We accompany them in their indescribable grief.

But also we are grateful to have had him for 90 years, because he was our father, guide and inspiration.

Our Fidel stays among us forever, as a symbol of hope, and as a symbol of our belief in a better, future world.

Our revolution became universal thanks to you Fidel and we won all the poor of the earth by having you with us.

We are going to miss Fidel, my commander, and we will always love you, we will always honor you as you deserve the best: defending this, our, your revolution!!!!!

Toward victory forever!!!

The Labanino Palmeiro Family

Translation by Kay Tillow

Fidel, el Comandante en Jefe, nuestro líder, nuestro Fidel, ha muerto en La Habana este viernes 25 de Noviembre. Pero entra en la eternidad.

Hoy lloro, llora mi familia, toda Cuba lo llora. Pensamos en Dalia, su esposa eterna y lloramos con ella y sus hijos. Los acompañamos en su dolor indescriptible.

Pero también agradecemos haberlo tenido por 90 años, porque fue nuestro padre, guía e inspiración.

Nuestro Fidel se queda entre nosotros por siempre, como símbolo de esperanza y convicción de un futuro mundo mejor.

Nuestra Revolución se hizo universal gracias a ti Fidel y ganamos todos los pobres de la tierra al tenerte con nosotros.

Te vamos a extrañar Fidel, mi Comandante, y te vamos a querer siempre, te vamos a homenajear siempre como mejor lo mereces: defendiendo esta, nuestra, tu revolucion !!!!!!
!Hasta La Victoria Siempre !

Fam. Labañino Palmeiro
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