Cuba mourns Castro: Bars shut, papers printed in only black ink

The reactions of world leaders to the death of Fidel Catro included sorrow and sometimes criticism for the former Cuban leader.

Castro was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of Trudeau’s father and former prime minister Pierre Trudeau in 2000. Marco Rubio said in a statement.

While he acknowledged that those affected by Castro’s regime would view things differently, he said his comments were “meant to recognize the passing of a former head of state – a head of state with which Canada had a deep and lasting friendship”. While the firebrand leader gained support for bringing universal free education and healthcare to Cuba, his opponents criticise his human rights record and say he suppressed dissent. Chinese President Xi Jinping said Castro “made immortal historical contributions to the development of socialism around the world”. In a statement, Carter said he wishes the Cuban citizens peace and prosperity in the years ahead. He said Castro’s death is the death of a symbol.

He was demonized by the United States and its allies but admired by many leftists around the world, especially socialist revolutionaries in Latin America and Africa. In March, Obama made the first visit to Cuba by a US president in 88 years.

Mr. Trump’s first statement on Cuba policy since the November 8 election, issued from his Palm Beach, Florida, resort where he and his family were spending the weekend after the Thanksgiving holiday, did not address whether he would roll back Mr. Obama’s measures because of concerns about religious and political freedom in Cuba. Although various names have been floated around as potential successors, most analysts agree that the likely next leader of Cuba will be First Vice President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel, who’s 56. In a telegram to Cuban President Raul Castro, Fidel’s 85-year-old brother, Pope Francis offered “my sense of grief to your excellency and family”.

“(Fidel Castro) certainly was a polarizing figure and there certainly were concerns around human rights.

“India mourns the loss of a great friend”, Modi said on Twitter.

What President-elect Donald Trump will do on U.S. -Cuba policy, however, is less certain.

Bolivian President Evo Morales also had some harsh words about Trump as he likened it to “fascism” having a “feast” over Fidel’s death.

Gonzalez also spoke about Castro’s legacy.

For more than four decades, Castro ruled as an anti-American dictator.

Fidel Castro cuts sugar cane in an unknown location in Cuba in 1961.

Students converged on the steps of the University of Havana, carrying photos and posters of Fidel, and flowers for the beloved Comandante, who passed away late Friday at the age of 90.