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People who believe a Twitter account created yesterday might as well have been born yesterday.
Yet the social media site is awash this morning with rumors that Fidel Castro has died. This is despite not a single actual news source reporting as much ... and the rumors all seem to trace back to the @PresCuba Twitter account that was literally created yesterday and has tweeted nothing but news of Castro's death. .
The Presidency and the Government of Cuba announces the sudden death of Commander-in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz. Habana, April 28, 2015
— Presidencia de Cuba (@PresCuba) April 28, 2015
Seems very odd that the "President of Cuba" would set up an account and just happen to use it for the very first time to tweet out the news of the death of his brother.
Of course, some people apparently believe it.
Fidel Castro is Dead! The last communist Gone! RIP!
— Yomi Akinsola (@yomiakinsola) April 28, 2015
Wow, Fidel Castro finally dead, nothing lasts for every, not power, not even life itself
— Olu Mike Olu (@Mikeegunner) April 28, 2015
Is this purported death of Fidel Castro real?
— Mother of Pearls (@pearlsonfleek) April 28, 2015
The rumor became so widespread that it was actually trending in several Latin American countries.
Alas, no independent news sources have confirmed or even bothered to report on the rumor, and that day-old Twitter account seems to be the only source.
Which, of course, lead to rumor backlash.
please, news friends, dont RT fidel castro rumors.
— karen zraick (@karenzraick) April 28, 2015
People are aggressively trying to kill Fidel Castro. This account just announced his death a year from now. pic.twitter.com/St52pyQDp3
— Miriti Murungi (@NutmegRadio) April 28, 2015
And parodies.
Shorter Twitter: Crips & Bloods kill Fidel Castro, take body to Iran aboard Eminem-flagged ship. Zombie Admiral Farragut is in pursuit.
— Zeddonymous (@ZeddRebel) April 28, 2015
Otra vez murió Fidel Castro?? Ya tiene más muertes que Kenny O_O pic.twitter.com/cjqCkm5F21
— SilviOK (@SaltoLaTermica) January 12, 2015
False rumors of Castro's death are basically an internet tradition at this point, popping up at least a few times each year. At 88 years old and in visibly frail health, false news of Castro's death do seem more and more believable each time. Though, we'd assume that the Cuban regime would tightly control the news. You'd know when Cuba wants you to know.
Castro, by the way, was last seen in public earlier this month, his first public appearance in over 18 months.
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