Castro embodied hopes and disappointments of Cuban revolution: Hollande

World leaders paid glowing tributes to the Cuban revolution leader Fidel Castro who died on Friday aged 90.

World leaders praised the contributions of Cuban leader Fidel Castro who died on Friday aged 90. REUTERS/Andres Stapff

French president François Hollande said Castro embodied both ‘hopes and disappointments’ of Cuban revolution.

“An actor of the Cold War... he represented, for Cubans, pride in rejecting external domination,” Hollande added, referring to Castro’s defiance of the United States.

He also said that the Cuba embargo must be ‘lifted definitively’.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said the late Cuban leader stood up and strengthened his country during the harshest American blockade, when there was colossal pressure on him.

“He he still took his country out of this blockade to a path of independent development,” Interfax news agency quoted Gorbachev as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Castro as the “symbol of an era,” the Kremlin said in a statement on Saturday.

“The name of this distinguished statesman is rightly considered the symbol of an era in modern world history,” Putin said in a telegram to Cuban President Raul Castro cited by the Kremlin.

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."

“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.”

China President Xi Jinping said Castro will live forever in a message read out on television.

India’s prime minister sent his “deepest condolences” to Cuba. “May his soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.

“Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend.”

While world leaders praised Castro’s contributions, there were celebrations in Miami following his death. Amid cries of “Cuba Libre!” and “Freedom! Freedom!” Cuban-Americans poured on to the streets of the American city which is located just 150 kilometers from the Cuban coast.

“It’s sad that one finds joy in the death of a person – but that person should never have been born,” said Pablo Arencibia, 67, a teacher who fled Cuba 20 years ago. Many opponents of Castro’s communist regime escaped or died trying to reach Miami by boat.

- with AFP