Ramon Castro, Cuban president's older brother, dies at 91

Ramon Castro (R), the brother of Cuban President Fidel Castro, poses for a picture with US' Texan stockbreeder Bill Hundgins 30 October, 2006 during the inauguration of the 24th International Fair in Havana. (Photo: BALTAZAR MESA/AFP/Getty Images)



HAVANA (AP) — 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.