
U.S. President Barack Obama has spoken out of the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, saying that history will record and judge the 'enormous' impact that Castro had on 'the people and the world around him.'

The White House released Obama's statement on Saturday morning in which he noted the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba has been marked by 'discord and profound political disagreements' for nearly six decades.

Obama offered his condolences to Castro's family and said his thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people.

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U.S. President Barack Obama released a statement on the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, saying history will record and judge the 'enormous' impact that Castro had on 'the people and the world around him'. Obama pictured above with Castro's brother, Cuban president Raul Castro during their first meeting on Obama's visit to Cuba in March

Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang was among the last heads of state to visit the firebrand Cuban revolutionary. They are pictured here during a meeting last week in one of the last photos taken of Castro before he died

'At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people,' Obama's statement said.

'We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation.

'History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him.'

President Obama went on to say that during his presidency, 'we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is not defined by our differences.'

'But by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends - bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity,' he said.

U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RELEASES A STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FIDEL CASTRO At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. 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 - bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba. Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro's family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America. Advertisement

'This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.

'Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro's family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future.

'As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.'

Castro has been branded 'one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century' - but in death, as in life, he has left opinion divided.

Nine days of public mourning have been announced in Cuba, and citizens in Havana have voiced their disbelief at Castro's demise.

Within hours of his death being announced, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev praised him for 'strengthening' his island nation.

And current Russian President Vladimir Putin described Castro as 'the symbol of an era' and a 'distinguished statesman'.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured with the former Cuban leader in 2000) described Castro as 'the symbol of an era' and a 'distinguished statesman'

A banner filled with images of Fidel Castro hangs on a government building in Havana following news of the revolutionary leader's death

Stunned Cubans outside a nightclub in Havana, which closed as news of Castro's death filtered through

U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump tweeted, 'Fidel Castro is dead!' and was roundly mocked for his terse tweet reacting to news.

He later released a full statement in which he described Castro as a 'brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades' whose legacy is one of 'unimaginable suffering and the denial of fundamental human rights.'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country mourned the death of a 'great friend', and French President Francois Hollande branded Castro 'a towering figure', while noting concerns about human rights under the revolutionary's regime.

But within half an hour of his death being announced, the streets of Miami's Little Havana teemed with Cuban exiles celebrating the 90-year-old's demise, and a Cuban-American US Congress representative branded the late leader 'a tyrant'.

Castro waves Cuba's national flag after giving a speech in front of USA Interest Office in Havana, Cuba in May 2005

An image of Fidel Castro hangs outside a government building in Havana after news of his death was announced

In the streets of Havana, the announcement was met with surprise, with citizens saying they had expected the 90-year-old to 'last forever'.

Mariela Alonso, a 45-year-old doctor, described the retired Cuban leader 'the guide for our people'.

She said: 'There will be no one else like him. We will feel his physical absence.'

Mechanic Celestino Acosta was sitting on a porch in the capital's central neighborhood of Vedado.

He called the news of Castro's death 'a painful blow for everyone'.

Carlos Rodriguez, 15, was sitting in Havana's Miramar neighborhood when he heard that Fidel Castro had died.

'Fidel? Fidel?' he said, slapping his head in shock. 'That's not what I was expecting. One always thought that he would last forever. It doesn't seem true.'

'It's a tragedy,' said 22-year-old nurse Dayan Montalvo. 'We all grew up with him. I feel really hurt by the news that we just heard.'

Cuban Americans celebrate upon hearing about the death of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami

But in Little Havana, the news was greeted with cheer. 'Cuba si! Castro no!' exiles chanted, while others screamed 'Cuba libre!'

Celebration, not grief, permeated the atmosphere.

US Congress representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-American Republican from Miami, said in a statement: 'A tyrant is dead and a new beginning can dawn on the last remaining communist bastion of the Western Hemisphere.'

Thousands of Cubans fled the island to the United States after Castro took power in 1959.

Some were loyalists of Fulgencio Batista, the president prior to Castro, while others left with the hope they would be able to return soon, after Castro was toppled. He never was.

Many others believed they would not be truly free under Castro and his communist regime.

Cubans left behind their possessions, loved ones, and hard-earned educations and businesses, travelling to the US by plane, boat or raft. Many died on the ocean trip to South Florida.

Pope Francis, pictured with Castro in September last year, has described the former Cuban leader's death as 'sad news'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Castro as 'one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century'

Flowers and a note were left outside the Cuban embassy in London this morning after news of Castro's death broke

Pope Francis said Castro's death was 'sad news', writing to Raul: 'I express to you my sentiments of grief.'

World leaders have remembered the revolutionary leader, who was branded an 'inspiration' by Vladimir Putin in a statement.

Putin said : 'The name of this distinguished statesman is rightly considered the symbol of an era in modern world history. Fidel Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia.'

Putin added that Castro has managed to build a 'free and independent Cuba' that 'became an influential member of the international community and served as an inspiration for many countries and peoples'.

The Kremlin strongman hailed Castro as a 'strong and wise person who always looked to the future with confidence'.

Putin met with Castro in 2014 in Havana, six years after the Cuban revolutionary handed control of the island to his younger brother, Raul

'He embodied the high ideals of a politician, a citizen and a patriot sincerely convinced of the rightness of the cause to which he dedicated his whole life,' Putin said.

'His memory will forever remain in the hearts of the citizens of Russia.'

The Russian President also said that Castro had made a 'huge personal contribution' in the establishment and development of the countries' bilateral relations.

Mikhail Gorbachev said: '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'

Gorbachev (pictured with Castro in 1989) hailed the former Cuban leader for strengthening his island nation

Castro, left, and former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev clasp hands at the Lenin mausoleum in Moscow's Red Square on May Day in Moscow, Russia in May 1963. Fidel embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the power of 10 US presidents

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Castro as 'one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century', and said: 'India mourns the loss of a great friend.

'I extend my deepest condolences to the Government and people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. May his soul rest in peace.'

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev hailed Castro for strengthening his island nation.

Gorbachev said: '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.'

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: 'Fidel Castro's death marks the end of an era for Cuba and the start of a new one for Cuba's people.'

He added: 'Fidel Castro's leadership of the 1959 Cuban Revolution marked him out as an historic if controversial figure.

'The UK will continue to work with the government of Cuba on a wide range of foreign policy priorities, including on human rights.'

In mourning: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (left) and Bolivia's Evo Morales (center) have paid tribute to Fidel Castro. They are pictured in Havana celebrating the former Cuban leader's 89th birthday last year

Latin American leaders voiced their sorrow at Castro's death.

In Bolivia, where Castro ally Ernesto 'Che' Guevara died in 1967 in a failed bid to export Cuba's revolution, President Evo Morales said in a statement: 'Fidel Castro left us a legacy of having fought for the integration of the world's peoples... The departure of Comandante Fidel Castro really hurts.'

And Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said: 'A great has left us. Fidel has died. Long live Cuba! Long live Latin America!'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said: 'We will go forward with his legacy'

In Venezuela, a long-time ally of Cuba and staunch opponent of the political stance of the United States, President Nicolas Maduro said Castro had inspired and would continue to inspire his country.

'We will keep on winning and keep fighting. Fidel Castro is an example of the fight for all the people of the world. We will go forward with his legacy,' Maduro told television station Telesur by telephone.

South African President Jacob Zuma hailed Castro for his help supporting the battle against apartheid.

'President Castro identified with our struggle against apartheid. He inspired the Cuban people to join us in our own struggle against apartheid,' Zuma said in a statement.

Castro, pictured with former South African leader Nelson Mandela in 2001, was an important supporter in the fight against apartheid, current president Jacob Zuma said in a statement

French President Francois Hollande mourned the loss of a major figure on the world stage and welcomed the rapprochement between Havana and Washington, but noted concerns over human rights under the Castro regime.

'Fidel Castro was a towering figure of the 20th century. He incarnated the Cuban revolution, in both its hopes and subsequent disillusionments,' Hollande said in a statement.

'France, which condemned human rights abuses in Cuba, had equally challenged the U.S. embargo on Cuba, and France was glad to see the two countries re-establish dialogue and open ties between themselves,' added the Socialist party leader.

French President Francois Hollande described Castro as a 'towering figure', but noted concerns over human rights in Cuba

Hollande met Fidel Castro in May, 2015 during the first ever visit by a French head of state to Cuba since the Cuban revolution.

Irish president Michael D Higgins said Castro guided Cuba 'through a remarkable process of social and political change, advocating a development path that was unique and determinedly independent'.

He added: 'Fidel Castro will be remembered as a giant among global leaders whose view was not only one of freedom for his people but for all of the oppressed and excluded peoples on the planet.'

Communist heavyweights China and Vietnam were swift to lament Castro's death, with Hanoi's state media leading tributes to the loss of a 'great friend and comrade'.

Castro showed solidarity with communist Vietnam in its war against US invaders.

The Vietnam News Agency said 'for all Vietnamese, Fidel was a great friend, a comrade and a very close brother'.

It added that he had been 'a pure symbol of true internationalism in the fight for independence of nations'.

As a sign of those enduring ties, Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang was among the last heads of state to visit the firebrand Cuban revolutionary, meeting Castro on November 16.

Pham Tran Van, an army colonel during the Vietnam war, said: 'Fidel Castro was like our President Ho Chi Minh. He was the symbol of the endless struggle for .... freedom.'

Chinese President Xi Jinping released a statement stating: 'The Chinese people have lost a close comrade and a sincere friend.'

Xi hailed Castro for his contribution to the development of communism both in Cuba and around the world.

Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, sent his condolences to Cuba's government and people, via Twitter, where he described Castro as 'a figure of historic significance'.

British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn hailed Fidel Castro as 'a massive figure in the history of the whole planet', praising the 'heroism' of the revolutionary figure and commended the social changes he brought to the Caribbean island.

A longstanding supporter of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, Mr Corbyn's views have courted controversy due to reports of widespread human rights abuses under Mr Castro's rule.

'I think history will show that Castro was such a key figure, it seems he has been with us forever,' he told the Press Association.

British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn branded Castro 'a massive figure in the history of the whole planet'

Former London mayor Ken Livingstone said Mr Castro was an 'absolute giant of the 20th century', and blamed the US for the restrictions on civil liberties under his leadership.

He told Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'm sure they will, over time, move towards something like a traditional west European democracy. It could have happened a lot earlier if you hadn't had, the entire time, a blockade by America, attempts to overthrow the regime, eight assassination attempts authorized by American presidents.'

He admitted 'of course Fidel did things that were wrong', adding: 'Initially he wasn't very good on lesbian and gay rights, but the key things that mattered was that people had a good education, good healthcare and wealth was evenly distributed.