Castro lashes out at “absurd” claims of wealth

Quick: You're the leader of a small, communist nation with a nominal personal income of "zero." Yet Forbes magazine includes you somewhere between the sultan of Brunei and the queen of England in its annual ranking of the world's richest Kings, Queens & Dictators. What to do? First, deny it: "Cuban President Fidel Castro lashed ...

Quick: You're the leader of a small, communist nation with a nominal personal income of "zero." Yet Forbes magazine includes you somewhere between the sultan of Brunei and the queen of England in its annual ranking of the world's richest Kings, Queens & Dictators. What to do? First, deny it:

Quick: You're the leader of a small, communist nation with a nominal personal income of "zero." Yet Forbes magazine includes you somewhere between the sultan of Brunei and the queen of England in its annual ranking of the world's richest Kings, Queens & Dictators. What to do? First, deny it:

"Cuban President Fidel Castro lashed out Monday night at a report in a U.S.-based magazine putting his net worth at $900 million, calling it 'garbage' that 'disgusted me.'"

Maybe even throw in a ridiculous display of humility:

"'If they can prove that I have a bank account abroad, with $900m, with $1m, $500,000, $100,000 or $1 in it, I will resign,' he said."

And, of course, change the subject back to the people:  

"Referring to government social projects, he asked, 'We did all this to make a personal fortune?'"

Kate Palmer is deputy managing editor at Foreign Policy.

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