Fidel “Fidelito” Castro Díaz-Balart, the eldest son of revolutionary Cuban President Fidel Castro, committed suicide on Thursday after a period of depression. The first child of Castro’s wife, the namesake son of the Cuban leader that kept America on its toes, was 68.
As an infant Fidelito lived in Miami as part of the Cuban exile community. Shortly after his father took over Cuba, Fidelito was sent there by his mother. He never returned, which incited rumors by his relatives in Miami that he was kidnapped by Castro.
After pursuing his studies in Russia, Fidelito returned to Cuba to head the nuclear power program, which he headed until he was dismissed after a fallout with his father. In 2008, when Raul Castro took over as president, Fidelito was named his scientific adviser.
Little is known about the private life of Fidelito. He is survived by his children, Mirtha María Castro Smirnov, Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov and José Raúl Castro Smirnov. One of the Díaz-Balart family is currently serving as a Republican congressman in Florida.
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