Planned as a celebration of newly improved relations between the United States and Cuba, the first scheduled flight from Miami to Havana in more than 50 years turned into a more subdued affair early on Monday, three days after the death of the island’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. The milestone American Airlines Flight 17 touched down in the Cuban capital at 8.26am, amid nine days of national mourning for the country’s former president, who died on Saturday at the age of 90. “It’s a monumental day of great historic relevance, with Miami being the epicentre of the Cuban American community and American Airlines’ hub for the region,” he said. In his statement, the president offered condolences to Castro’s family and thoughts and prayers to the Cuban people. “President Obama issued a pathetic statement on death of dictator Fidel Castro with no mention of thousands he killed & imprisoned,” Rubio fumed in a tweet.

Source: The Guardian November 28, 2016 18:28 UTC