Fidel Castro's death is expected to lead to improved relations with US

A name has been mounted for US sanctions towards Cuba to be lifted 'definitively', following the dying of Fidel Castro.

World leaders have stated the Communist heavyweight's dying on the age of 90 ought to spell a brand new period for the island.

Talking at a summit in Madagascar at present, French President Francois Hollande stated at present that the continuing embargo by the US 'punishes' Cuba and must be lifted as soon as and for all.

Former Cuban revolutionary chief Fidel Castro's dying is prone to open a brand new period for the island

A banner crammed with pictures of Fidel Castro hangs on a authorities constructing in Havana, Cuba, at present

He stated: 'On the event of Fidel Castro's dying I would like once more to say that the embargo which punishes Cuba must be lifted definitively.'

The US severed diplomatic ties in 1961, banning all exports to Cuba apart from meals and drugs. 

Castro, who stepped apart 10 years in the past, remained hostile to Washington all through his life.

As US president Barack Obama moved to heal relations with Havana, Castro responded: 'We do not want the empire to offer us something.'

Up to now President-elect Donald Trump's solely public response has been a tweet which merely says: 'Fidel Castro is useless!' 

Castro, who stepped apart 10 years in the past, remained hostile to Washington all through his life 

The commerce embargo was designed to starve Castro's regime of US foreign money. Regardless of the latest restoration of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana, the embargo stays largely in place at present.

'France has at all times seen Cuba as a accomplice,' stated Hollande, who in Might final yr was the primary western head of state to go to the island nation after the thaw in relations between the US and Cuba in December 2014.

'Even when I've repeatedly denounced human rights abuses in Cuba, I've at all times believed that the embargo was an unacceptable, unilateral resolution,' he stated.

'Fidel Castro was an incredible determine of the 20th century. He aroused a lot hope with the Cuban revolution.

'There have additionally been disappointments.' 

Barack Obama, pictured with Raul Castro earlier this yr, stated the go to was supposed to 'get the ball rolling' on restoring relations

However Castro's brother Raul, who succeeded him because the revolutionary chief's well being failed, and US President Barack Obama moved to revive diplomatic ties in December 2014.

Castro died at a time when relations between the US and Cuba are thawing after many years of opposition.

In March Barack Obama turned the primary US President in 90 years to go to the island.

French president Francois Hollande (pictured with Castro final yr) has known as for sanctions towards Cuba to be lifted

He stated on the time: 'The time is correct. Clearly our intention has at all times been to get a ball rolling, understanding that change wasn't going to occur in a single day.

'And though we nonetheless have vital variations round human rights and particular person liberties within Cuba, we felt that coming now would maximize our potential to immediate extra change. 

'And it provides us, I feel, the chance earlier than I depart workplace to proceed to remain on observe in shifting issues ahead.'

However questions stay over what Donald Trump's impression on relations shall be when he strikes into the White Home.

Up to now President-elect Donald Trump's solely public response has been a tweet which merely says: 'Fidel Castro is useless!

Donald Trump has stated he intends to push for a greater deal within the thawing of relations with Cuba, branding Obama's efforts 'weak'

In October he threatened to reverse diplomatic relations with Cuba, telling CNN: 'Look, Cuba has to deal with us pretty and it has to deal with the individuals of Cuba pretty, and the individuals residing right here that had been from Cuba or their households had been from Cuba.'

He accused Obama of signing 'a really weak settlement', stating: 'We get nothing. The individuals of Cuba get nothing, and I might do no matter is critical to get a very good settlement. An settlement is ok.' 

He has additionally claimed he would shut the US embassy in Havana 'till such time as a extremely whole lot may very well be struck'. 

Castro's dying sparked celebration within the streets of Miami, and US Congress consultant Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American Republican, branded him a 'tyrant'

Diplomatic ties between the 2 international locations had been restored in July final yr, and the US has re-opened its embassy in Cuba. 

US Congress consultant Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American Republican from Miami, stated in a press release after Castro's dying was introduced: 'A tyrant is useless and a brand new starting can daybreak on the final remaining communist bastion of the Western Hemisphere.' 

British International Secretary Boris Johnson stated: 'Fidel Castro's dying marks the top of an period for Cuba and the beginning of a brand new one for Cuba's individuals.' 

Castro stays an inspirational determine in Latin America, the place leaders have paid glowing tributes to him and vowed his legacy will stay on. 

In Venezuela, a long-time ally of Cuba and staunch opponent of the political stance of the US, President Nicolas Maduro stated Castro had impressed and would proceed to encourage his nation.

'We'll carry on profitable and hold preventing. Fidel Castro is an instance of the battle for all of the individuals of the world. We'll go ahead together with his legacy,' Maduro instructed tv station Telesur by phone.  

Tweet