The prime minister is facing criticism at home and abroad for his statement expressing "deep sorrow" about the death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro.
Justin Trudeau, who recently returned from a diplomatic visit to Cuba, made the statement early Saturday after the announcement that Castro had died at the age of 90.
Please read my statement on the passing of former Cuban President Fidel Castro: https://t.co/vIYCZrJGfg
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 26, 2016
Trudeau acknowledged the late president was a "controversial figure," but remembered him as a "larger-than-life leader," who made significant improvements to Cuba's education and health-care systems.
"A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and health care of his island nation," Trudeau said.
"I know my father was very proud to call him a friend," he added.
Prime Minister Trudeau should apologize and retract his statement on the death of dictator Fidel Castro https://t.co/crAqmbry91 #cdnpoli
— Lisa Raitt (@lraitt) November 26, 2016
But others in Canada — and around the world — were less generous in their description of the deceased, and some have condemned the prime minister's statement, pointing out human rights violations during Castro's half-century regime.
Marco Rubio, the Cuban American Senator for Florida, wrote on Twitter, "Is this a real statement or a parody? Because if this is a real statement from the PM of Canada it is shameful (and) embarrassing."
Is this a real statement or a parody? Because if this is a real statement from the PM of Canada it is shameful & embarrassing. https://t.co/lFXeqU7Ws0
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 26, 2016
Conservative leadership hopeful Lisa Raitt wrote on Facebook that Trudeau should be ashamed of himself after his remarks.
"With those words, Justin Trudeau has placed himself on the wrong side of history – against the millions of Cubans yearning for freedom. The prime minister should be ashamed of himself. He must retract this statement and apologize," she wrote.
Others running to be party leader also weighed in, including Maxime Bernier and Kellie Leitch.
But Robert Wright, who wrote the book "Three Nights in Havana" about the relationship between Castro and Pierre Trudeau, said it made sense Trudeau would express warm condolences for Castro.
"He has to walk a knife's edge," he said. "Canadians have a long, rather proper diplomatic relationship with revolutionary Cuba."
An iconic figure of the 20th century passed away last night. Deepest condolences to the people of #Cuba, following the death of Fidel Castro https://t.co/1d8u2eZNJQ
— Stéphane Dion (@MinCanadaFA) November 26, 2016
"On the one hand Justin Trudeau has his family inheritance: his father's very, very warm friendship with Fidel Castro, and Justin's own warm rapport with the Cubans," Write said. "And on the other hand, he has to face criticism when Raul Castro says Cuba will take its own time on democratic reforms and won't be rushed by Obama or Justin Trudeau or anyone else."
In his statement, Trudeau offered his condolences "on behalf of Canadians," a move Wright said is likely to upset some Canadians who wouldn't want to be included in such "warm remarks."
Trudeau's comments also garnered criticism in the United States, a long-time political adversary of Cuba.
This statement is an outrageous failure to understand history or demonstrate even token solidarity with victims of the regime. https://t.co/ENf0H8EiHV
— James Moore (@JamesMoore_org) November 26, 2016
Website Breitbart News, which was previously run by president-elect Donald Trump's senior strategist, called the prime minister a "pretty little liar" in response to his comments.
And Ian Bremmer, an American political scientist who specializes in U.S. foreign policy, tweeted that "Cuban citizens and exiles deserve better" from Trudeau.
Trudeau had a chance to stand for freedom and human dignity today and instead stood with a brutal dictator. https://t.co/TflJeaG3vp #castro
— Kellie Leitch (@KellieLeitch) November 26, 2016
FIDEL CASTRO, SYMBOL OF AN ERA, DIES AT 90; WORLD CONDOLES
Fidel Castro, the fiery apostle of revolution who defied the US for nearly half a century as Cuba's leader, died on Friday, ending an era for the country and Latin America. Several world leaders, including the Indian President and Prime Minister condoled Castro's demise.
"The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died late on Friday," President Raul Castro, his younger brother, announced in a midnight broadcast.
President Castro told the nation in an unexpected late night broadcast on state television that Fidel Castro had died and would be cremated later on Saturday.
The Cuban government announced that Fidel Castro's ashes will be interred at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago de Cuba on December 4.
Cubans will be able to pay homage to Castro at the Jose Marti memorial in Havana on November 28, 29. A mass rally will be held in the capital.
On December 4, at 7 a.m., his ashes will be interred at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, the resting place of 19th century Cuban independence hero Jose Marti and numerous other leading figures in the country's history.
Several days of national mourning would be observed on the island nation.
Raul Castro ended the announcement by shouting the revolutionary slogan: "Towards victory, always!"
Barring the occasional newspaper column, Fidel Castro had essentially been retired from political life for some time.
The revolutionary icon, one of the world's best-known and most controversial leaders, survived countless US assassination attempts and premature obituaries, but in the end proved mortal after suffering a long battle with illness.
Castro ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost half a century before handing over the powers to his brother Raul in 2008.
His supporters praised him as a man who had given Cuba back to the people. But his opponents accused him of brutally suppressing opposition.
In April, Castro gave a rare speech on the final day of the country's Communist Party congress.
He acknowledged his advanced age but said Cuban communist concepts were still valid and the Cuban people "will be victorious".
"I'll soon be 90, this is something I'd never imagined, soon I'll be like all the others, to all our turn must come," he said.
Several world leaders have condoled the death of Castro, with Russian President Vladimir Putin praising Castro as the "symbol of an era".
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev hailed Castro for "strengthening" his island nation despite the US blockade.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his condolence message, said "India mourns the loss of a great friend."
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee also condoled the death of "friend of India" Fidel Castro.
Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party chief and former cricketer, Imran Khan said: "Today the world lost an iconic revolutionary leader who liberated his nation from all vestiges of imperialism."
French President Francois Hollande mourned the loss of a major figure on the world stage and welcomed the rapprochement between Havana and Washington, while noting 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.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said: "I lament the death of Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution and emblematic reference of the 20th Century..."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement saying: "It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba's longest serving President.
As soon as Fidel's death was announced, celebrations broke out in Little Havana, the Miami neighbourhood home to many Cubans in exile in the US.
Born in 1926 in the south-eastern Oriente Province of Cuba, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was imprisoned in 1953 after leading an unsuccessful rising against US-backed Batista's regime and was released in 1955 under an amnesty deal.
Castro was elected in 1976 as President by Cuba's National Assembly. He arrived at an agreement in 1992 with US over Cuban refugees. In 2008 he stepped down as President due to health issues.
Fidel Castro had held on to power longer than any other living national leader except Queen Elizabeth II. He became a towering international figure whose importance in the 20th century far exceeded what might have been expected from the head of state of a Caribbean island nation of 11 million people.
An accomplished tactician on the battlefield, he and his small army of guerrillas overthrew the military leader Fulgencio Batista in 1959 to widespread popular support.
Within two years of taking power, he declared the revolution to be Marxist-Leninist in nature and allied the island nation firmly to the Soviet Union.
Yet, despite the constant threat of a US invasion as well as the long-standing economic embargo on the island, Castro managed to maintain a communist revolution in a nation just 90 miles off the coast of Florida.
Despised by his critics as much as he was revered by his followers, he outlasted 10 US presidents and defied scores of attempts on his life by the CIA.
WHEN CASTRO GAVE A BEAR HUG TO A SURPRISED INDIRA GANDHI
Fidel Castro, the iconic Cuban revolutionary leader who died on Friday, will be remembered in India for his close association with the Nehru-Gandhi family and especially his "sisterly" ties with former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi - which he sealed with a bear hug during the Non-Aligned Summit in New Delhi in 1983.
At the inauguration of the Seventh Non-Aligned Summit, March 7-12, 1983 at Vigyan Bhavan, that was attended by a record number of over 100 heads of state and government, Castro, who headed the Cuban delegation, announced that, as host of the previous summit in Havana in 1979, he was happy and proud to pass the conference gavel to his "sister" Indira Gandhi.
Fidel Castro with Smt. Indira Gandhi. The revolutionary icon passed away at the age of 90. #FidelCastro pic.twitter.com/JbRm0X5SzR
— J Aslam Basha (@jab9777) November 26, 2016
Both then rose from behind the podium, watched by several hundred delegates, that included observers of leading countries who were not members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and a huge assembly of mediapersons.
As both came to face each other, Gandhi expectantly extended her arm to receive the big wooden gavel. But Castro did not reciprocate. Gandhi, a trifle taken aback, extended her arm a second time, but Castro again failed to respond but kept smiling mysteriously.
As a slightly embarrassed Gandhi proffered her hand a trifle hesitatingly a third time, Castro pulled a surprised Gandhi to him and gave her a giant bear hug in full view of the hall, before parting with the gavel.
#Indira Gandhi with Fidel Castro pic.twitter.com/2sGa58eRiH
— Tele Mohan (@Mohaniya88) October 30, 2014
The whole hall broke into huge applause, Gandhi was momentarily left flushed in the face, but the bear hug moment was recorded by all for posterity.
That was Castro's last visit to India.
TRUMP SAYS HE HOPES CASTRO'S DEATH MARKS SHIFT TOWARD FREEDOM FOR CUBA
US President-elect Donald Trump said in a statement on Saturday following Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro's death that he hoped the passing of the "brutal dictator" would usher in a new era of prosperity and freedom for the Caribbean island.
Trump, whose first reaction was a brief tweet on Saturday morning that simply read "Fidel Castro is dead!", issued a full statement a few hours later, EFE news reported.
Castro, who at age 32 led a band of guerrillas who overthrew strongman Fulgencio Batista in 1959 and ruled the country until falling ill and ceding power to his younger brother Raul a decade ago, was a "brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades", Trump said.
"Fidel Castro's legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights," the real-estate mogul said.
"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," Trump said.
Trump, who is spending the Thanksgiving holiday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, has vowed to rollback recent US policy establishing a thaw in bilateral relations unless "freedoms are restored" on the Communist-ruled island.
Trump was the only Republican candidate in the primaries who supported the rapprochement with Cuba that Washington first announced in late 2014, although he shifted course and vowed on Twitter last month to revoke Obama's executive orders normalising relations.
Some analysts -- including, in a recent interview with EFE, prominent American intellectual Noam Chomsky -- say the real-estate mogul will need to temper his hard-line approach due to pressure from US corporations eager to do business on the island in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical, agribusiness and tourism.
Castro's death comes at a time when the United States, under Obama, has taken steps to ease the decades-old US economic embargo on the Communist-ruled island.
The embargo, imposed in 1962, can only be lifted by the US Congress.
B-TOWN MOURNS FIDEL CASTRO'S DEMISE
The Hindi film fraternity mourned the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro with some describing him as an "influential and revolutionary leader", while others wished they had met him before his passing away.
Filmmakers like Madhur Bhnadarkar and Hansal Mehta took to their Twitter accounts to express their admiration for Castro, who died late Friday aged 90.
The revolutionary icon, one of the world's best-known and most controversial leaders, survived several US assassination attempts and premature obituaries, but in the end proved mortal after suffering a long battle with illness.
Castro ruled Cuba for almost half a century before handing over the reins to his brother Raul in 2008.
Here is what the celebrities had to say:
Madhur Bhandarkar: Death of Fidel Castro marks the end of an important era in Cuban history. An influential and a revolutionary leader. RIP
Hansal Mehta: Almost travelled to Havana. Visa issues made me change plans. Wish I'd made it before the passing away of Fidel Castro
Ashwin Mushran: Sit back and Fidel with a Cigar today if you must! For the end of an era Fidel Castro.
Nikkhil Advani: Whether you agreed or disagreed with Castro you couldn't help be mesmerised with his aura. A light is extinguished. Fidel Castro. RIP
Vivek Agnihotri: RIP. Fidel Castro, a comrade of Indian Naxals, Maoists, insurgents, red terrorists, communists, liberals congress & some ex prime ministers.
Ayushmann Khurrana: RIP Fidel Castro.
