Is Fidel Castro dead?

This question has rang on the minds of probably millions of people today as rumors of the demise of the 88-year-old Cuban statesman spread like wildfire on social media.

At the moment, there has been no confirmation from the Cuban government that Fidel Castro is dead, but this has not stopped many from pouring out their condolences.

Miami paper Diario de las Americas revealed that the Cuban government called for an international press conference in Havana on Friday. Although there are no official indications of what will be discussed, speculations are swirling that the aim of the gathering is to announce that Fidel Castro is dead.

It has been over a year since the charismatic soldier cum politician was last seen in public. Since he stepped down from office in February 2008 for health reasons, Fidel Castro has lived an increasingly seclusive life - forcing many to speculate about the state of his failing health and death.

Almost every year, there is a Fidel Castro death hoax that blows around. But this time many are being forced to believe that the inevitable has finally occurred considering the fact that Castro, who is known for his sharp rhetoric, failed to comment on the restoration of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US recently.

Cuban exiles have told the press that there has been tension in Havana between relatives of the president and 'military circles' since the unannounced death of Fidel Castro.

If it is indeed true that Fidel Castro is dead, the news is expected to spread rapidly across the globe. Although he was branded as a communist dictator, the Cuban leader is regarded as an iconic figure.

The Daily Mail has pointed out that the recent rumors that Fidel Castro is dead could be a case of mistaken identity as the son of former Kenyan President Raila Odinga, who goes by the same name, was found dead earlier in the week.

He was found dead in his apartment on the outskirts of the capital over the weekend. It is unclear how he died. Authorities are reportedly investigating his 'unexplained' death. Fidel Castro Odinga, 41, who is speculated to have been a billionaire, was widely tipped to be the successor to his father in politics.