Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro dies at 90

(FOX 11/AP) - Former Cuban president Fidel Castro has died.

His brother, current president Raul Castro made the announcement late tonight on Cuba's state run television.

Castro led the revolution that overthrew President Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

He assumed military and political power.

Castro's friendship with the Soviet Union and embracing of communism concerned the United States that the US tried to overthrow him in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.

Castro grew closer to the soviets and allowed nuclear missiles to be placed in Cuba, which led to a US blockade that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war in October of 1962.

Castro turned over power to his younger brother Raul in 2006.

Fidel Castro was 90-years-old.