There is a strong rumour around that Fidel Castro is dead. Reports have been circulating from unconfirmed sources and have been listed high in Google Trends.
This is not the only case where a celebrity, more usually in the entertainment world, has been mistakenly reported as dead. Recent examples have included Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga. Despite the lack of evidence from proper news channels, a lot of these internet reports seem to gain a lot of credence for no good reason.
Due to his failing health, Fidel Castro has been reported as “on his deathbed” for some time now. In July 2006 he had emergency intestinal surgery to stem bleeding from diverticulitis, and since then he has been under constant medical supervision. He has constructed a state-of-the-art hospital suite in his principal residence where he is surrounded by his well meaning family and a host of Cuba’s finest doctors. His failing health made him give up power some years ago and hand over the reigns to his brother Raul. Since then he has only been seen in public once or twice.
He has rarely been seen in public over the last few years but has been visited by the Argentinian and the Venezuelan presidents on different occasions and they have reported him to be fit and well. The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has said that Castro would walk the streets and towns at night, looking like a warrior in his uniform, as if trying to remind himself of his former power. He has said also that Castro would be unlikely to ever take part in a public event again, but, that the idol would live on beyond this physical life.
Doubtless, the rumours will be officially confirmed or denied in due course. It is known that Castro is in his eighties and in poor health, so sufficient fodder there for tabloid speculation. His death now would not be likely to cause any instability in the country as it might have some years ago, so we don’t need to hold our breath.
In January 2009 Castro asked Cubans not to worry about his failing heath or lack of recent appearances, nor to be disturbed by his future death. Inevitably the rumours are likely to linger on for a while yet.
Author: Jack Smith is an experienced sociologist. As part of a national survey he wants to figure out whether people believe tabloids or not. Please give him your opinion. Do you believe in tabloids? yes or no? In return you can get a $500 Visa gift card.
