Ramon Castro, Cuban Leader’s Elder Brother, Dies at 91

Ramon Castro, a lifelong rancher and farmer who bore a strong physical resemblance to younger brother Fidel Castro, has died. Widely known by his nickname “Mongo,” the white-bearded Ramon Castro preferred tending crops and livestock to the revolutionary political life embraced by his younger siblings Fidel and Raul, who replaced Fidel as Cuba’s president in February 2008. During the Cuban Revolution in 1953-1959 Ramon Castro was content to remain in the village of Biran in eastern Cuba, where he helped his father with the family business. Following the 1959 triumph of the Cuban revolution and Fidel’s subsequent rise to power, Ramon often worked as a consultant for the government ministries of agriculture and sugar. In the early 1960s, he oversaw sugar production in eastern Cuba, where he helped increase output. Ramon founded several state companies, including ones that handled the transportation of sugar cane and the production of oranges. He also was involved in agricultural research. Although he wielded little government power, Ramon nevertheless was a founding member of the Communist Party of Cuba and served as a deputy in the country’s parliament, the National Assembly.

“Associated Press”