Former President Jimmy Carter expressed grief over the death of Fidel Castro, Cuba’s murderous communist dictator. Carter released a statement recalling “fondly our visits with him in Cuba and his love of his country.” (RELATED: Fidel Castro Dead At 90)

After news of the strongman’s death broke, the Carter Center in Atlanta, the charity founded by the 39th President, released the following statement:

Rosalynn and I share our sympathies with the Castro family and the Cuban people on the death of Fidel Castro. We remember fondly our visits with him in Cuba and his love of his country. We wish the Cuban citizens peace and prosperity in the years ahead.

Castro ruled Cuba with an iron fist for nearly 50 years and was known for his willingness to jail or murder citizens who opposed him in any way. Countless Cubans were killed under Castro’s rule and his alliance with the Soviet Union brought the world to the brink of nuclear war in 1962. (RELATED: Cuban-Americans Dancing In The Streets Of Little Havana Celebrating Castro’s Death)