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| '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 | |
| (5 days later) | |
| World leaders have been giving their reactions to the announcement that former Cuban president Fidel Castro has died at the age of 90. | World leaders have been giving their reactions to the announcement that former Cuban president Fidel Castro has died at the age of 90. |
| Barack Obama, US president | Barack Obama, US president |
| 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. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure 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. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. |
| For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbours and friends – bonds of family, culture, commerce and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba. | For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbours and friends – bonds of family, culture, commerce and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba. |
| Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.” | Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.” |
| Donald Trump, US president-elect: | Donald Trump, US president-elect: |
| Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights. | Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights. |
| While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve. | While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve. |
| Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. I join the many Cuban Americans who supported me so greatly in the presidential campaign, including the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association that endorsed me, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba.” | Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. I join the many Cuban Americans who supported me so greatly in the presidential campaign, including the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association that endorsed me, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba.” |
| 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.” |
| Xi Jinping, president of China: | Xi Jinping, president of China: |
| The Chinese people have lost a good and true comrade. Comrade Castro will live forever.” | The Chinese people have lost a good and true comrade. Comrade Castro will live forever.” |
| 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.” | 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.” |
| Pope Francis: | Pope Francis: |
| In a message to Fidel Castro’s brother Raul: “I express to you my sentiments of grief.” | In a message to Fidel Castro’s brother Raul: “I express to you my sentiments of grief.” |
| Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the UK opposition: | Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the UK 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 healthcare and education are in Cuba compared with many other places in the world.” | [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 healthcare and education are in Cuba compared with many other places in the world.” |
| Boris Johnson, UK foreign secretary: | Boris Johnson, UK 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.” | 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 | 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 for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for El Comandante.” | 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 for the Cuban people who had a deep 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 Đai Quang, president of Vietnam | Trân Đai Quang, president of Vietnam |
| For all Vietnamese, Fidel was a great friend, a comrade and a very close brother.” | For all Vietnamese, Fidel was a great friend, a comrade and a very close brother.” |