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Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated former first secretary of Cuba’s Communist Party Central Committee Raul Castro on what would have been his brother Fidel Castro's 100th birthday.

The congratulatory message was read out by presidential envoy for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy at the first international colloquium "Fidel: Legacy and the Future."

"Esteemed Comrade Raul, dear friend, please accept my warmest congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the birth of your older brother Fidel Castro," Putin said in the telegram.

The president noted that Fidel Castro devoted his entire life to selflessly serving his home country. Today, his name stands as a symbol of freedom, justice, and patriotism both for the Cuban people and for millions of people around the world.