Trump slams Fidel Castro for causing ‘unimaginable suffering’ as Obama laments his passing
DONALD TRUMP described Fidel Castro as a “brutal dictator†who imposed “unimaginable suffering†on his own people as Barack Obama lamented the passing of the Cuban dictator.
By NICK GUTTERIDGE
UPDATED: 19:05, Sat, Nov 26, 2016
Donald Trump and Barack Obama have offered different views of Fidel Castro's passing
The two men offered starkly different responses to the death of the Communist despot, with the Republican businessman hinting that his administration will row back on the outgoing president’s policy of rapprochement towards the rogue nation.
In a statement issued by the White House, Mr Obama stated his pride at having “worked hard†with the Cuban leadership to “put the past behind us†and said that the US was “extending a hand of friendship†after Fidel Castro’s death.
The Democrat has tried to warm ties between the two historic enemies by building bridges with Raul Castro - Fidel’s younger brother - who has led the country since 2008 when his sibling stood down because of ill health.
In his statement Mr Obama said: “At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. 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.â€
In contrast, Mr Trump did not mince his words when giving his assessment of the controversial and at times brutal Communist dictator, but at the same time opened up the possibility of closer ties with Cuba in the future.
He ruled Cuba for over three decades and was responsible for the deaths of thousands
After sending out a less than sympathetic tweet - which simply read “Fidel Castro is dead!†- the President-elect issued an eviscerating statement which blasted the Cuban despot over his record on human rights.
Mr Trump said: “Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty, and the denial of fundamental human rights.
“Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty and the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba.â€
Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights
The Republican had already said in his campaign for the White House that concerns about religious freedom in Cuba could prompt him to row back on Mr Obama's drive for closer relations with the former Cold War adversary.
At a Miami rally in September, Mr Trump said he would roll back the Democrat's foreign policy reforms unless Cuban leaders allowed religious freedom and freed political prisoners.
He said: â€The next president can reverse them, and that I will do unless the Castro regime meets our demands.â€
After surviving more than 600 assassination attempts, defying 10 US presidents and shaping half a century of history, Fidel Castro died aged 90, on 25th November 2016.
Elsewhere Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who ran against Mr Trump to be the Republican presidential candidate, said Castro turned Cuba into "an impoverished island prison" where dissidents were routinely jailed and killed.
He said: â€The dictator has died, but the dictatorship has not. The future of Cuba ultimately remains in the hands of the Cuban people, and now more than ever Congress and the new administration must stand with them against their brutal rulers and support their struggle for freedom and basic human rights."
Experts have estimated that Fidel Castro was responsible for at least 10,000 deaths during his brutal 32-year reign, and that the true toll could be closer to 100,000.
