This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/26/fidel-castro-death-world-leaders-react-vladimir-putin-narendra-modi
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'A towering figure': world leaders past and present react to death of Castro | 'A towering figure': world leaders past and present react to death of Castro |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| World leaders have been giving their reactions to the announcement that former Cuban president Fidel Castro has died at the age of 90. | |
| Vladimir Putin, president of Russia: | Vladimir Putin, president of Russia: |
| “Fidel Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia. He embodied the high ideals of a politician, a citizen and a patriot sincerely convinced of the rightness of the cause to which he dedicated his whole life. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of the citizens of Russia.” | “Fidel Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia. He embodied the high ideals of a politician, a citizen and a patriot sincerely convinced of the rightness of the cause to which he dedicated his whole life. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of the citizens of Russia.” |
| Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union: | Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union: |
| “Fidel stood up and strengthened his country during the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal pressure on him, and he still took his country out of this blockade to a path of independent development. In the past years, even when Fidel Castro was not formally in power, his role in strengthening the country was huge.” | |
| Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition: | |
| “[He was] a massive figure in the history of the whole planet. History will show that Fidel was somebody who stood up for something very, very different in the Caribbean and many independent people would say how good health care and education are in Cuba compared with many other places in the world.” | |
| Boris Johnson, foreign secretary: | |
| “Fidel Castro’s death marks the end of an era for Cuba and the start of a new one for Cuba’s people.” | |
| Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada | |
| “We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader. While a controversial figure, both Mr Castro’s supporters and detractors recognise his tremendous dedication and love the Cuban people who had a need and lasting affection for El Comandante.” | |
| Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa: | Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa: |
| “President Castro identified with our struggle against apartheid. He inspired the Cuban people to join us in our own struggle against apartheid.” | “President Castro identified with our struggle against apartheid. He inspired the Cuban people to join us in our own struggle against apartheid.” |
| François Hollande, president of France: | François Hollande, president of France: |
| “Fidel Castro was a towering figure of the 20th century. He incarnated the Cuban revolution, in both its hopes and subsequent disillusionments. France, which condemned human rights abuses in Cuba, had equally challenged the US embargo on Cuba, and France was glad to see the two countries re-establish dialogue and open ties between themselves.” | “Fidel Castro was a towering figure of the 20th century. He incarnated the Cuban revolution, in both its hopes and subsequent disillusionments. France, which condemned human rights abuses in Cuba, had equally challenged the US embargo on Cuba, and France was glad to see the two countries re-establish dialogue and open ties between themselves.” |
| Enrique Peña Nieto, president of Mexico: | Enrique Peña Nieto, president of Mexico: |
| “I lament the passing of Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution and emblem of the 20th century. Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico, promoter of a bilateral relationship based on respect, dialogue and solidarity.” | “I lament the passing of Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution and emblem of the 20th century. Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico, promoter of a bilateral relationship based on respect, dialogue and solidarity.” |
| Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela: | Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela: |
| “To all the revolutionaries of the world, we have to continue his legacy and his flag of independence, of socialism, of homeland.” | “To all the revolutionaries of the world, we have to continue his legacy and his flag of independence, of socialism, of homeland.” |
| Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador: | Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador: |
| “He was a great one. Fidel is dead. Long live Cuba! Long live Latin America!” | “He was a great one. Fidel is dead. Long live Cuba! Long live Latin America!” |
| Narendra Modi, prime minister of India: | Narendra Modi, prime minister of India: |
| “Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend.” | “Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend.” |
| Trân Dai Quang, president of Vietnam | |
| “For all Vietnamese, Fidel was a great friend, a comrade and a very close brother.” |