Both Obama and Biden Will Skip Fidel Castro’s Funeral

According to the White House, both President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden will not attend the funeral of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The funeral is scheduled for next week.

Per White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, we will need to “stay tuned” to see if any US officials make their way down to Cuba.

Republicans have attacked Obama over his statement on Castro’s death. Unlike President-elect Donald Trump, who used his official release to hammer away at Castro’s record of human rights violations, POTUS took a more measured and diplomatic approach.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) labeled Obama’s comments as “pathetic” and urged the White House to send nobody to the funeral. This was a sentiment echoed by other notable GOPers, with Newt Gingrich and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) saying the same thing.

Obama became the first sitting president to visit Cuba in 88 years when he showed up there in March as part of his effort to normalize America’s relationship with the nation. While he did meet with Raul Castro during the trip, he didn’t see Fidel.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Justin Baragona on Twitter: @justinbaragona

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