One of the three original leaders of the Cuban revolution and current Vice President Juan Almeida had died of heart failure at the age of 82.

Almeida was at the side of Fide and Raúl Castro, when they toppled dictator Fulgencio Bastista in 1959. Mr Almeida, a former bricklayer, served in top positions from the beginning of the revolutionary government and at the time of his death was a member of the powerful political bureau of the ruling Communist Party. The Cuban government has declared Sunday a day of mourning. He will be buried in the Sierra Maestra, the mountain range from where the rebels launched their revolution.

Commander Juan Almeida Bosque (l) with Raúl Castro (Photo ANP/EPA)