Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who led the Communist island nation first as prime minister and then as president for nearly 50 years died late Friday.

Current President Raul Castro, clad in olive green fatigues, announced his brother's death with a shaking voice on national television.

"The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours this evening," Raul Castro said.

He ended his appearance by shouting the revolutionary slogan "Ever onward, to victory."

Castro's body will be cremated, according to his wishes.

The 90-year-old had been in poor health since a near-fatal intestinal illness in 2006. Two years later he transferred power to his younger brother Raul.

Read an in-depth look at Fidel Castro's life.