Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro has died at age 90. The world is reacting to the passing of the monumental historical figure.
27 November 2016
RT's Andrey Kiashko reports the latest from Cuba.
President of the United Nations General Assembly H.E. Peter Thomson said that he is "deeply saddened." The diplomat expressed "sincere condolences" to Castro's family.
“A tireless advocate for equity in the international arena, Fidel Castro was an inspirational figure for developing countries in particular,” said the president of the UN General Assembly. "His dedication to their advancement, especially in the fields of education and health, would be long remembered.”
26 November 2016
Fidel Castro will be remembered as a positive figure in the history of international relations, Stelios Kouloglou, a Greek journalist and Member of the European Parliament, told RT, stressing that Castro became the leader of a small Caribbean island nation and both “managed to improve the living standards of the people” and made his country significant in the international arena.
Cuba is a small island, so “we have to compare it not with Miami, the US or Europe but with other Caribbean states such as Haiti. From this point of view Cuba is much better off,” Kouloglou said, adding that Castro “inspired a lot of movements for social justice in Latin America” and he “still remains and will be an inspiration.”
Fidel Castro may be labeled a “tyrant” in the US, but the late Cuban revolutionary will always be considered a hero in Latin America, Africa and Asia, Jonathan Steele, international affairs commentator, told RT.
Vladimir Putin has personally called Raul Castro to express his condolences over the death of his brother, the Kremlin press service has revealed.
Putin called Fidel Castro a "charismatic politician, a patriot who served his country and earned the love of his people, and the respect of the international community."
In turn, Raul Castro has promised the Cuba international partnership with Russia will remain "unchanged," and expressed hope for future cooperation between Moscow and Havana.
Fidel Castro was both a conductor and a hostage of world politics, Russian TV anchor Sergey Brilev, who was born in Cuba, told RT, calling him an “extraordinary figure” and a “great world politician, who outlived ten US presidents and made the Soviet Union apologize.”
The death of Fidel Castro means the end to “the very important era of anti-imperialist struggle,” Orazio Maria Gnerre, an Italian intellectual and the founder and president of the National-European Communitarianist Party, told RT, adding that the former Cuban leader should be an example and “a great symbol” for future socialist movements.
US Secretary of State John Kerry promised that the US would not row back from its rapprochement with Cuba, and strive "not to ignore history but to write a new and better future for our two peoples."
"The United States reaffirms its support for deepening our engagement with the Cuban people now and in coming years," the US diplomat said in a statement.
Fidel Castro’s death must become a reminder that revolutions should be valued not by the turmoil they cause, but by the quality of everyday life that follows big events, Slovenian philosopher, Slavoj Zizek, told RT.
US President-elect Donald Trump has called Castro “a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades.”
“Fidel Castro’s legacy is of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty, and the denial of fundamental human rights,” he said in a statement.
With Castro gone, Trump promised that his “administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey towards prosperity and liberty.”
During his campaign, Trump warned that if elected, he will reverse President Barack Obama's historic rapprochement between Havana and Washington.
Syrian President Bashar Assad has expressed his condolences to the Cuban leaders and people over the death of Fidel in a telegram sent to the deceased revolutionary’s brother and the current president of Cuba, Raul Castro.
Outgoing US president, Barack Obama, said that “history will record and judge the enormous impact” of Fidel Castro “on the people and world around him.”
“At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans – in Cuba and in the United States – with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation,” a statement released by the White House said.
“Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people,” Obama stressed, adding that Cubans should remember that “they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.”
Commenting on the mass celebrations in Miami’s Cuban neighborhoods after the announcement of Fidel Castro’s death, British historian Martin McCauley told RT he believes that many of them are refugees from Cuba and probably suffered discrimination there.
A day of mourning has been declared in Uruguay on Sunday over Fidel Castro’s death, EFE news agency reported.
National flags will be lowered in state institutions buildings, military units, as well as the embassies of the Latin American country abroad.
Uruguayan leader, Tabaré Vázquez, earlier expressed his condolences to the Cuban people over Castro’s passing.
The UK Foreign Office said in a statement that Castro’s death “marks the end of an era for Cuba and the start of a new one for Cuba’s people.” The Foreign Office statement said the 1959 Cuban Revolution “marked him out as an historic if controversial figure,” adding that London will continue to work with Havana on a wide range of issues, “including on human rights.”
Opponents and supporters of Fidel Castro clashed today in front of the Cuban embassy in Madrid. Several dozen people, according to El Periodico, have gathered outside. They traded insults, with police later showing up to intervene and break up some light fights. One side chanted their support for the revolution and its heroes – Castro and Che Guevara, while others chanted “today the people of Cuba are happy” and “Down with communism!”
President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said with the passing of Castro “the world has lost a man who was a hero for many,” who “changed the course of his country and his influence reached far beyond.” The statement released later on Saturday added that “his legacy will be judged by history.”
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has praised Castro as a “huge figure of modern history, national independence, and 20th century socialism.”
“From building a world class health and education system, to Cuba's record of solidarity abroad, Castro’s achievements were many,” he said.
The late Cuban leader had his “flaws,” but his “crucial role” in ending Apartheid in South Africa through his support of Angola is undeniable, Corbyn added.
Pope Francis called the death of the former Cuban leader “sad news” and offered prayers for him, expressing his “sentiments of grief” to the Cubans.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed a “deep sorrow” over Fidel Castro’s death. Trudeau called Castro “a legendary revolutionary and orator” and praised his “dedication and love for the Cuban people.”
“We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader,” he said in his statement.
The Cuban economic blockade should be lifted completely, French President Hollande told AFP after the death of Fidel Castro. This would give Cubans hope for a better future and eventually make Cuba a full-fledged member of the international community, he said.
“I personally always said that the Cuban embargo was a unilateral and unacceptable decision,” he said. “We should let go of the Cold War, which has ended everywhere except Cuba,” he said.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Fidel’s death would usher in a new era for Cubans.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his condolences to the Cuban government and people on Saturday. The Kremlin statement said Castro’s name “is a symbol of an entire era in modern history.”
“The free and independent Cuba built by him and his associates has become an influential member of the international community, and an inspiring example for many countries and peoples,” the statement said. It also underlined Castro’s personal determination to develop lasting relationships between Moscow and Havana.
“This man of strength and wisdom always looked straight into the future,” it stressed. “He represented the highest ideals of a politician, citizen, and patriot who firmly believed in his cause.”
Cuba has declared a nine-day period of mourning for Fidel Castro. Funeral arrangements are yet to be disclosed.
Fidel Castro was the embodiment of the Cuban Revolution, French President Francois Hollande said in a statement released by his office.
“A prominent actor of the Cold War, he was part of the era that ended with the collapse of the USSR. Fidel Castro embodied the pride of the Cuban people, which rejected foreign dominance,” the statement said.
The Spanish government said Fidel had great influence, which was felt across Latin America.
“As the son of Spanish parents, former President Castro always maintained strong links with Spain and was bound by ties of blood and culture,” it said in a statement.
Fidel’s life has left an imprint not only on Cuba, but the entire world, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said.
“Fidel Castro did everything to dismantle colonialism, establish cooperation,” he told Interfax. “Fidel stood up to the strict American blockade and colossal personal pressure, strengthened his country and steered it to the path of independent development.”
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has praised Fidel for his belief in, and reliance on, the Cuban people.
Rafael Correa, the President of Ecuador, said Fidel was a giant of a man.
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said his country mourns the passing of Fidel, an icon of 20th century and a friend of Mexico.
Many Cubans living in the US are celebrating the death of Fidel Castro, a man they see as responsible for their exile.
Fidel was “one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century” and a “great friend” to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
Fidel Castro’s body is to be cremated early on Saturday, his brother Raul said citing his last will.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he had called Raul Castro on the phone to express support after his brother’s death.
Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro has died at age 90. The world is reacting to the passing of the monumental historical figure.