U.S. President Barack Obama has spoken out of the passing of Cuban revolutionary chief Fidel Castro, saying that historical past will file and decide the 'huge' impression that Castro had on 'the individuals and the world round him.'
The White Home launched Obama's assertion on Saturday morning during which he famous the connection between the U.S. and Cuba has been marked by 'discord and profound political disagreements' for almost six many years.
Obama provided his condolences to Castro's household and stated his ideas and prayers are with the Cuban individuals.
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U.S. President Barack Obama launched a press release on the passing of Cuban revolutionary chief Fidel Castro, saying historical past will file and decide the 'huge' impression that Castro had on 'the individuals and the world round him'. Obama pictured above with Castro's brother, Cuban president Raul Castro throughout their first assembly on Obama's go to to Cuba in March
Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang was among the many final heads of state to go to the firebrand Cuban revolutionary. They're pictured right here throughout a gathering final week in one of many final images taken of Castro earlier than he died
'Presently of Fidel Castro's passing, we prolong a hand of friendship to the Cuban individuals,' Obama's assertion stated.
'We all know that this second fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the USA - with highly effective feelings, recalling the numerous methods during which Fidel Castro altered the course of particular person lives, households, and of the Cuban nation.
'Historical past will file and decide the big impression of this singular determine on the individuals and world round him.'
President Obama went on to say that in his presidency, 'now we have labored laborious to place the previous behind us, pursuing a future during which the connection between our two international locations shouldn't be outlined by our variations.'
'However by the numerous issues that we share as neighbors and pals - bonds of household, tradition, commerce, and customary humanity,' he stated.
'This engagement contains the contributions of Cuban People, who've completed a lot for our nation and who care deeply about their family members in Cuba.
'Right this moment, we provide condolences to Fidel Castro's household, and our ideas and prayers are with the Cuban individuals. Within the days forward, they may recall the previous and likewise look to the long run.
'As they do, the Cuban individuals should know that they've a pal and associate in the USA of America.'
Castro has been branded 'one of the crucial iconic personalities of the 20th century' - however in dying, as in life, he has left opinion divided.
9 days of public mourning have been introduced in Cuba, and residents in Havana have voiced their disbelief at Castro's demise.
Inside hours of his dying being introduced, former Soviet chief Mikhail Gorbachev praised him for 'strengthening' his island nation.
And present Russian President Vladimir Putin described Castro as 'the image of an period' and a 'distinguished statesman'.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured with the previous Cuban chief in 2000) described Castro as 'the image of an period' and a 'distinguished statesman'
A banner stuffed with photographs of Fidel Castro hangs on a authorities constructing in Havana following information of the revolutionary chief's dying
Surprised Cubans outdoors a nightclub in Havana, which closed as information of Castro's dying filtered by
U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump tweeted, 'Fidel Castro is useless!' and was roundly mocked for his terse tweet reacting to information.
He later launched a full assertion during which he described Castro as a 'brutal dictator who oppressed his personal individuals for almost six many years' whose legacy is considered one of 'unimaginable struggling and the denial of basic human rights.'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated his nation mourned the dying of a 'nice pal', and French President Francois Hollande branded Castro 'a towering determine', whereas noting considerations about human rights beneath the revolutionary's regime.
However inside half an hour of his dying being introduced, the streets of Miami's Little Havana teemed with Cuban exiles celebrating the 90-year-old's demise, and a Cuban-American US Congress consultant branded the late chief 'a tyrant'.
Castro waves Cuba's nationwide flag after giving a speech in entrance of USA Curiosity Workplace in Havana, Cuba in Might 2005
A picture of Fidel Castro hangs outdoors a authorities constructing in Havana after information of his dying was introduced
Within the streets of Havana, the announcement was met with shock, with residents saying that they had anticipated the 90-year-old to 'final without end'.
Mariela Alonso, a 45-year-old physician, described the retired Cuban chief 'the information for our individuals'.
She stated: 'There will probably be nobody else like him. We are going to really feel his bodily absence.'
Mechanic Celestino Acosta was sitting on a porch within the capital's central neighborhood of Vedado.
He known as the information of Castro's dying 'a painful blow for everybody'.
Carlos Rodriguez, 15, was sitting in Havana's Miramar neighborhood when he heard that Fidel Castro had died.
'Fidel? Fidel?' he stated, slapping his head in shock. 'That is not what I used to be anticipating. One all the time thought that he would final without end. It would not appear true.'
'It is a tragedy,' stated 22-year-old nurse Dayan Montalvo. 'All of us grew up with him. I really feel actually harm by the information that we simply heard.'
Cuban People rejoice upon listening to concerning the dying of longtime Cuban chief Fidel Castro within the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami
However in Little Havana, the information was greeted with cheer. 'Cuba si! Castro no!' exiles chanted, whereas others screamed 'Cuba libre!'
Celebration, not grief, permeated the ambiance.
US Congress consultant Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American Republican from Miami, stated in a press release: 'A tyrant is useless and a brand new starting can daybreak on the final remaining communist bastion of the Western Hemisphere.'
1000's of Cubans fled the island to the USA after Castro took energy in 1959.
Some have been loyalists of Fulgencio Batista, the president previous to Castro, whereas others left with the hope they'd be capable to return quickly, after Castro was toppled. He by no means was.
Many others believed they'd not be really free beneath Castro and his communist regime.
Cubans left behind their possessions, family members, and hard-earned educations and companies, travelling to the US by aircraft, boat or raft. Many died on the ocean journey to South Florida.
Pope Francis, pictured with Castro in September final 12 months, has described the previous Cuban chief's dying as 'unhappy information'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Castro as 'one of the crucial iconic personalities of the 20th century'
Flowers and a observe have been left outdoors the Cuban embassy in London this morning after information of Castro's dying broke
Pope Francis stated Castro's dying was 'unhappy information', writing to Raul: 'I categorical to you my sentiments of grief.'
World leaders have remembered the revolutionary chief, who was branded an 'inspiration' by Vladimir Putin in a press release.
Putin stated: 'The title of this distinguished statesman is rightly thought-about the image of an period in fashionable world historical past. Fidel Castro was a honest and dependable pal of Russia.'
Putin added that Castro has managed to construct a 'free and unbiased Cuba' that 'grew to become an influential member of the worldwide group and served as an inspiration for a lot of international locations and peoples'.
The Kremlin strongman hailed Castro as a 'sturdy and sensible one who all the time seemed to the long run with confidence'.
Putin met with Castro in 2014 in Havana, six years after the Cuban revolutionary handed management of the island to his youthful brother, Raul
'He embodied the excessive beliefs of a politician, a citizen and a patriot sincerely satisfied of the rightness of the trigger to which he devoted his entire life,' Putin stated.
'His reminiscence will without end stay within the hearts of the residents of Russia.'
The Russian President additionally stated that Castro had made a 'enormous private contribution' within the institution and growth of the international locations' bilateral relations.
Mikhail Gorbachev stated: 'Fidel stood up and strengthened his nation in the course of the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal stress on him and he nonetheless took his nation out of this blockade to a path of unbiased growth'
Gorbachev (pictured with Castro in 1989) hailed the previous Cuban chief for strengthening his island nation
Castro, left, and former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev clasp palms on the Lenin mausoleum in Moscow's Purple Sq. on Might Day in Moscow, Russia in Might 1963. Fidel embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the facility of 10 US presidents
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Castro as 'one of the crucial iconic personalities of the 20th century', and stated: 'India mourns the lack of an excellent pal.
'I prolong my deepest condolences to the Authorities and folks of Cuba on the unhappy demise of Fidel Castro. Might his soul relaxation in peace.'
Former Soviet chief Mikhail Gorbachev hailed Castro for strengthening his island nation.
Gorbachev stated: 'Fidel stood up and strengthened his nation in the course of the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal stress on him and he nonetheless took his nation out of this blockade to a path of unbiased growth.'
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.'
He added: 'Fidel Castro's management of the 1959 Cuban Revolution marked him out as an historic if controversial determine.
'The UK will proceed to work with the federal government of Cuba on a variety of overseas coverage priorities, together with on human rights.'
In mourning: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (left) and Bolivia's Evo Morales (middle) have paid tribute to Fidel Castro. They're pictured in Havana celebrating the previous Cuban chief's 89th birthday final 12 months
Latin American leaders voiced their sorrow at Castro's dying.
In Bolivia, the place Castro ally Ernesto 'Che' Guevara died in 1967 in a failed bid to export Cuba's revolution, President Evo Morales stated in a press release: 'Fidel Castro left us a legacy of getting fought for the combination of the world's peoples... The departure of Comandante Fidel Castro actually hurts.'
And Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa stated: 'A fantastic has left us. Fidel has died. Lengthy reside Cuba! Lengthy reside Latin America!'
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stated: 'We are going to go ahead along with his legacy'
In Venezuela, a long-time ally of Cuba and staunch opponent of the political stance of the USA, President Nicolas Maduro stated Castro had impressed and would proceed to encourage his nation.
'We are going to carry on profitable and preserve combating. Fidel Castro is an instance of the battle for all of the individuals of the world. We are going to go ahead along with his legacy,' Maduro instructed tv station Telesur by phone.
South African President Jacob Zuma hailed Castro for his assist supporting the battle in opposition to apartheid.
'President Castro recognized with our battle in opposition to apartheid. He impressed the Cuban individuals to hitch us in our personal battle in opposition to apartheid,' Zuma stated in a press release.
Castro, pictured with former South African chief Nelson Mandela in 2001, was an vital supporter within the battle in opposition to apartheid, present president Jacob Zuma stated in a press release
French President Francois Hollande mourned the lack of a serious determine on the world stage and welcomed the rapprochement between Havana and Washington, however famous considerations over human rights beneath the Castro regime.
'Fidel Castro was a towering determine of the 20th century. He incarnated the Cuban revolution, in each its hopes and subsequent disillusionments,' Hollande stated in a press release.
'France, which condemned human rights abuses in Cuba, had equally challenged the U.S. embargo on Cuba, and France was glad to see the 2 international locations re-establish dialogue and open ties between themselves,' added the Socialist occasion chief.
French President Francois Hollande described Castro as a 'towering determine', however famous considerations over human rights in Cuba
Hollande met Fidel Castro in Might, 2015 in the course of the first ever go to by a French head of state to Cuba because the Cuban revolution.
Irish president Michael D Higgins stated Castro guided Cuba 'by a exceptional technique of social and political change, advocating a growth path that was distinctive and determinedly unbiased'.
He added: 'Fidel Castro will probably be remembered as an enormous amongst international leaders whose view was not solely considered one of freedom for his individuals however for the entire oppressed and excluded peoples on the planet.'
Communist heavyweights China and Vietnam have been swift to lament Castro's dying, with Hanoi's state media main tributes to the lack of a 'nice pal and comrade'.
Castro confirmed solidarity with communist Vietnam in its warfare in opposition to US invaders.
The Vietnam Information Company stated 'for all Vietnamese, Fidel was an excellent pal, a comrade and a really shut brother'.
It added that he had been 'a pure image of true internationalism within the battle for independence of countries'.
As an indication of these enduring ties, Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang was among the many final heads of state to go to the firebrand Cuban revolutionary, assembly Castro on November 16.
Pham Tran Van, a military colonel in the course of the Vietnam warfare, stated: 'Fidel Castro was like our President Ho Chi Minh. He was the image of the limitless battle for .... freedom.'
Chinese language President Xi Jinping launched a press release stating: 'The Chinese language individuals have misplaced a detailed comrade and a honest pal.'
Xi hailed Castro for his contribution to the event of communism each in Cuba and all over the world.
Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, despatched his condolences to Cuba's authorities and folks, through Twitter, the place he described Castro as 'a determine of historic significance'.
British Labour Get together chief Jeremy Corbyn hailed Fidel Castro as 'an enormous determine within the historical past of the entire planet', praising the 'heroism' of the revolutionary determine and counseled the social modifications he dropped at the Caribbean island.
A longstanding supporter of the Cuba Solidarity Marketing campaign, Mr Corbyn's views have courted controversy resulting from experiences of widespread human rights abuses beneath Mr Castro's rule.
'I believe historical past will present that Castro was such a key determine, it appears he has been with us without end,' he instructed the Press Affiliation.
British Labour Get together chief Jeremy Corbyn branded Castro 'an enormous determine within the historical past of the entire planet'
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone stated Mr Castro was an 'absolute large of the 20th century', and blamed the US for the restrictions on civil liberties beneath his management.
He instructed Radio four's Right this moment programme: 'I am certain they may, over time, transfer in the direction of one thing like a standard west European democracy. It might have occurred loads earlier in the event you hadn't had, your complete time, a blockade by America, makes an attempt to overthrow the regime, eight assassination makes an attempt approved by American presidents.'
He admitted 'in fact Fidel did issues that have been unsuitable', including: 'Initially he wasn't superb on lesbian and homosexual rights, however the important thing issues that mattered was that folks had a great training, good healthcare and wealth was evenly distributed.
'He was not residing as a billionaire laundering cash off right into a Panamanian checking account or something like that, he was good for the individuals.'
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