After years of dealing with failing health, Fidel Castro, leader of the Cuban revolution who steered the country through decades of a US economic blockade, has died, state media report. Castro died in Havana on Friday at 10:29pm local time, Cuban television said. His death was announced by his brother Raul, who took the reins after Fidel stepped down. "According to the will expressed by comrade Fidel, his body will be cremated in the early hours" of Saturday, Raul said. Castro led the country from 1959 to 2006, when an intestinal condition nearly led to his death. He ceded power to his brother first provisionally, and then formally in 2008. In his last years, he mostly stayed out of the public eye, only occasionally providing commentary on events in Cuba. His passing marks the end of an era for many. Castro was the last remaining leader from the group of old school communist leaders including Chinese Mao