Havana – Cuba’s parliament has passed a law that no streets or parks will be named after late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in accordance with his final wish to prevent a personality cult.
The law, passed late Tuesday (early Wednesday GMT), also forbids any monuments to “El Comandante,” who died in November, and titles, decorations, or awards bearing his name.
Castro’s name may not be used in any kind of advertising either. An exception to the ban is if an institute is founded to carry out historical research into Castro, then it may be named after him.
A US-made car passes in front of a poster with the image of Fidel Castro in Havana, Cuba. Cuba’s parliament passed a law on December 27, 2016, that no streets or parks will be named after Fidel Castro in accordance with his final wish to prevent a personality cult. Photo: Guillermo Nova/dpa
President Raul Castro revealed the last wish of his brother at his funeral. “The leader of the revolution rejected any personality cult and he was consistent in this right up to his last hour of his life.”
Cubans however almost worshipped Fidel Castro as a cult during his lifetime. His portrait will remain hanging in schools, businesses and army barracks, according to the new law.
Fidel Castro died on November 25 aged 90. He ruled Cuba for 47 years, not without controversy. For some he was a hero who liberated Cuba and helped it to develop, but for others he was a tyrant who suppressed dissent and denied Cubans basic democratic rights.
-dpa
