Tributes, fireworks as Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s 90th birthday

Thousands partied along Havana's Malecon seafront into the early hours of Saturday, celebrating retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro turning 90 to the tune of Latin beats as an electric storm in the distance lit up the night sky.

On the strike of midnight, a live band played "Happy Birthday" in honor of the iconic leftist revolutionary on the "Anti-imperialist Tribune", a plaza located outside the newly-opened U.S. embassy, while fireworks exploded on the other side of the bay.

Colorful floats carrying dancers and salsa bands stretched for kilometers down the Malecon, as Havana's annual carnival was combined this year with Fidel's birthday concert.

"This is the best gift we can give him, this party," said dancer Leydis Campos, 25, decked in a skimpy limegreen outfit, her eyelids caked in glitter.

"To 90 years past, and to 90 more!"...
 [france24.com/REUTERS]
13/8/16