President Raul Castro and other top government officials were reportedly on hand , though elder brother and former Communist leader Fidel Castro -- not seen in public since abdominal surgery in 2006 -- did not make an appearance . Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro died of a heart attack Friday evening . Thousands gathered in the Communist capital on Friday to pay their respects . He was among only a few black leaders in top government posts . Almeida fought with the CNN at the start of their revolution .
Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro died of a heart attack Friday evening . Thousands gathered in the Communist capital on Friday to pay their respects . He was among only a few black leaders in top government posts . Almeida fought with the CNN at the start of their revolution .