World reacts to death of Cuba’s Fidel Castro

The death of Cuba’s Fidel Castro prompted reaction across the spectrum Saturday with some world leaders describing him as a friend and ally, while rights groups recalled his repression of basic freedoms.
Here are some early responses to the death of the 90-year-old Cold War icon, whose life was defined by his resistance to the capitalist United States.
“History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him,” the US president said after the death of Cuba’s revolutionary leader.
“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 neighbors and friends,” added Obama, who made a landmark visit to Cuba in March after diplomatic ties between the two nations were restored.
The US president-elect simply tweeted “Fidel Castro is dead!“
Back in September he commented on the historic rapprochement between the United States and Cuba threatening to reverse the executive orders “unless the Castro regime meets our demands,” which include “religious and political freedom for the Cuban people and the freeing of political prisoners.”
“The name of this distinguished statesman is rightly considered the symbol of an era in modern world history,” the Russian president said in a message to Cuban President Raul Castro, Fidel’s brother, cited by the Kremlin.
“Fidel Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia.”
“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,” Interfax news agency quoted the former Soviet leader as saying.
“In the past years, even when Fidel Castro was not formally in power, his role in strengthening the country was huge.”
The leader of the world’s Roman Catholics sent a telegram saying he was “praying to the Lord that he (Castro) may rest in peace.”
“Under former president (Fidel) Castro, Cuba made progress in the areas of education, literacy and health,” the UN secretary-general told journalists.
China’s president hailed Castro in a message read out on state television. “The Chinese people have lost a good and true comrade,” he said.
“Comrade Castro will live forever. “
The Argentine football legend lamented Castro’s death saying “I’m terribly sad as he was like a second father.”
The South African president gave one of the warmest tributes to the late Cuban leader.
“President Castro identified with our struggle against apartheid. He inspired the Cuban people to join us in our own struggle. As a way of paying homage to the memory of President Castro, the strong bonds of solidarity, cooperation and friendship that exist between South Africa and Cuba must be maintained and nurtured,” Zuma said.
Castro embodied Cuba’s revolution in both its “hopes” and its later “disappointments,” the French President said in a statement.
“An actor of the Cold War... he represented, for Cubans, pride in rejecting external domination,” Hollande added, alluding to Castro’s opposition to the United States.
The Venezuelan president, Cuba’s main ally in the region, said of Castro on Twitter: “It is up to us to continue his legacy and carry his flag of independence.”
“Fidel Castro is a figure of indisputable historical importance,” the Spanish king said in a telegram to his brother and current Cuban President Raul Castro.
India’s prime minister sent his “deepest condolences” to Cuba. “May his soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.
“Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend.”
Castro was “a unique figure who fought against colonialism and exploitation” and was “a model of the fight for independence by oppressed nations,” said Iran’s foreign minister, the Fars news agency reported.
For the Philippines’ president, Castro distinguished himself by “standing up against the West and imperialism.”
Vietnam’s official Communist news agency hailed Castro as “a great leader” who was “the shining reflection of the independence and revolutionary movements of countries in Latin America and around the world.”
The London-based human rights organization said the state of free expression in Cuba was Castro’s “darkest legacy.”
“Castro’s achievements in improving access to public services for millions of Cubans were tempered by a systemic repression of basic freedoms,” Amnesty said.

Source: Arab News