Fidel Castro’s Death Elicits Strong Response from Gloria Estefan

The death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro last November 25 elicited a variety of responses from safe reflective posts to outright jubilation. Gloria Estefan, who was born in Havana, Cuba in 1957 but who transferred to the United States when she was a toddler, was among those who posted their thoughts on social media. Estefan is the lead vocalist of the Miami Sound Machine.

Raul Castro, president of Cuba, confirmed the death of the communist leader who ruled the country for a long time. Huffington Post said the family of Estefan fled to the Unites States some 50 years ago when Castro started to wield power over Cuba. Estefan is known for her anti-Castro sentiments which she has frequently aired through the years especially when it comes to human rights abuses.

The death of Castro Friday night led hundreds of residents of Little Havana in Miami into the streets shouting "the tyrant has died!" and "freedom!" Cuban-Americans also used social media platforms like Instagram to celebrate the end of Castro's era.

History said Fidel Castro ruled Cuba from 1920 to 2016 although he was already sickly during the end part and handed over the power to Raul sometime in 2008. While his regime is known for reducing illiteracy and racism while improving health care, it was also known for stifling political freedom. His antagonism to the United States and other policies have led to the degradation of Cuba's economy no thanks to the trade embargo which has been implemented since 1960.

ABC News said Estefan's message was written in both Spanish and English and accompanied a photo of Cuban exiles onboard a raft. In her post, Estefan blamed Castro for the separation of families, curtailment of the freedom of speech, putting into jail of innocent people as well as terrorism. Such death, she added, can only result to a positive change.

"Although the death of a human being is rarely cause for celebration, it is the symbolic death of the destructive ideologies that he espoused that, I believe, is filling the Cuban exile community with renewed hope and a relief that has been long in coming," Estefan said.