James Franco cast as Fidel Castro

It is called "acting" after all.

Leguizamo also played an Italian-American in Summer of Sam.

In that pic, Franco really has that Castro look.

Yes, he does. And when casting for somebody to play a famous historical figure, resemblance counts for a lot.

Plus, Latino? Why not demand a Cuban?

Mexicans complained when Freddy Prinze (Puerto Rican) played a Mexican-American in Chico and the Man in the 1970s, and understandably so, not just because it was a rare (first?) role for such a character, but also because the character made references to negative streoptypes, albeit in a dismissive way, but still arguably insensitive.
And same when Jennifer Lopez (also PR) played Selena, a Mexican-American superstar.

Further, I dont recall Leguizamo making a ruckus being in Carlito's Way with Al Pacino starring as a PR.
Forgot the role he played in that modernized adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, and hey, that movei version wasn't taking place in jolly old England, but he sure wasn't being the purist about Shakespeare's intent then.

Just because he's been reduced to voicing Caesar Pizza or whatever that is, he's suddenly found igndignation for others doing what he had no issue with doing or playing alongside himself back when he was actually getting real work.

Leguizamo is a native Colombian. How would he like getting only Colombian roles?

Exactly. Better yet, how about him playing only Colombian IN Colombia itself,,,

Just as a P.S., Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet took place in Italy. Verona, to be precise.

That was a modernized one in NYC or something. Leo might have been in it too.

I was referring to the original play...but yeah, Leo was in the modernized movie, he was Romeo and Claire Danes was Juliet. I think Baz Luhrmann directed it. Don't recall what part Leguizamo played...Tybalt, or maybe Mercutio?

I only saw it once, back then, so I don't recall...

I didnt think franco has too many friends left

I'll be his friend.