CUBA – In a lengthy letter to Barack Obama, the 89-year-old former Cuban leader said his country “has no need of gifts from the (US) empire.” The scathing note follows a landmark visit by Obama amid a warming of ties.

Castro Senior’s letter, entitled “El Hermano Obama” (Brother Obama), is his first published remarks since Obama’s three-day visit to Havana last week, during which the former Cuban president remained out of sight. His 1,500 word note appeared to ignore a strengthening of relations between the two former foes by declaring that Cuba “has no need of gifts from the empire.” “Listening to the words of the US president could give anyone a heart attack,” Castro said, in another barbed comment, referring to Obama’s speech.(Deutsche Welle)…[+]