Ramon Castro, Cuban president’s older brother, dies

By: 9 years ago

This Dec. 22, 2001 file photo shows Ramon Castro during a rally, in Havana, Cuba. Castro, a lifelong rancher and farmer who bore a strong physical resemblance to his younger brother, Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, state media announced. He was 91. AP FILE PHOTO

HAVANA — Cuban state media say that Ramon Castro, the older brother of Cuban revolutionary leaders Fidel and Raul Castro, has died at age 91.

Widely known by his nickname “Mongo,” the white-bearded Ramon Castro preferred tending crops and livestock to the political life embraced by his younger siblings.

Ramon was two years older than Fidel, and he was long used to getting double-takes from people who insisted he looked just like his famous brother. At times, Ramon was said to reply that because he was older, Fidel actually looked like him.