Miami

Fidel Castro's Estranged Sister Will Not Attend Funeral

The estranged sister of the late Fidel Castro says she will not attend her brother's funeral in Cuba.

The communist island announced Friday the death of the former leader.

Juanita Castro, who currently lives in Miami, said her brother's death "brought painful wounds to present".

She escaped Havana 51 years ago after Castro's regime assumed power and never spoke to the communist leader for more than four decades.

In the past, Juana has called her brother a "monster", but during medical crises and now Castro's death, Juanita has reserved her resentment and chose not to celebrate on the streets like many emotional Cubans in South Florida.

Instead, she released a statement saying, she respects the feelings of each person, but that she does not rejoice in the death of any human being, much less someone who's blood.

Juanita add that she has never changed her position even though she had to pay a high price of pain and isolation. She said she has fought alongside the exile community even though she was attacked because of her surname.

Juanita shut down rumors that she plans on traveling to Cuba for her brother's funeral. She says she never returned to Cuba, nor does she have any plans to do so.

Juanita offered a message of hope, asking that Cubans become united.

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