Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Dies; Trump Gives Controversial Statement Amid Condolences From Other World Leaders
On November 25, 2016, the world bid farewell to one of Cuba's revolutionary icons. Fidel Castro's illness-ridden body gave up that day. He was 90 years old.
His death sparked different reactions from people all over the world. Some Cuban-Americans from Miami paraded the streets to celebrate his passing while Havana streets stayed silent. Leaders all over the world also expressed their reactions to Castro's death and gave condolences.
In Fortune, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto tweeted, "Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico, promoting bilateral relations based on respect, dialogue, and solidarity." The Indian Prime Minister, Narenda Modi, meanwhile, also stated that Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century.
Despite Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's, Pope Francis's, and Former U.S, President Barrack Obama's positive statements on his life as a legendary leader, President-elect Donald Trump thought otherwise. Before giving his comment, Trump first stated on Twitter: "Fidel Castro is dead!" Hours after, he gave a statement on his apparent dissent on the life Castro led.
As published in The Guardian, Trump said, "Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades." He goes on to identify Castro's legacy as firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of human rights.
He continued, "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."
His last paragraph concluded a promise to the Cuban people who would begin anew towards prosperity and liberty. A word of thanks was also given to the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association, which endorsed him and the hope of seeing a free Cuba soon.
The Washington Post wrote that Vice President-elect Mike Pence, shortly after Trump's statement released his statement, said that Cuba has a chance for progress now that Castro is dead. The Trump-Pence administration saw Castro as more of a brutal dictator and tyrant contrary to the revolutionary hero that the people of Cuba favored. Many other leaders also saw Castro as an iconic voice that propelled his country to social reforms.
