Trump weighs in on Cuban leader's death: 'Fidel Castro is

Image
AFP Washington
Last Updated : Nov 26 2016 | 8:57 PM IST
President-elect Donald Trump today weighed in on the death of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, tweeting simply "Fidel Castro is dead!"
Castro died yesterday night aged 90 after defying the United States during a half-century of iron-fisted rule.
Trump's shock victory this month has cast uncertainty over two years of moves by President Barack Obama to end more than 50 years of Cold War enmity with the communist island.
Blocked from ending the US embargo on the island by a Republican-controlled Congress, Obama pushed smaller reforms using executive authority.
That means Trump, who takes office on January 20, will be able change course just as easily, potentially reinstating trade and financial restrictions and reversing developments like the resumption of air and cruise-ship travel, and postal service.
"All of the concessions that Barack Obama has granted the Castro regime were done through executive order, which means the next president can reverse them and that I will do unless the Castro regime meets our demands," the Republican real estate billionaire said in September.
"Those demands will include religious and political freedom for the Cuban people and the freeing of political prisoners."
The White House has not yet reacted to Castro's death, although a statement is expected later today.
The United States restored diplomatic ties with Cuba in July 2015 and a month later re-opened its embassy in Havana. Obama made a landmark visit to the communist-ruled island in March.
The moves were criticized by many of the politically influential Cuban exiles and their families living in the United States.
Trump's closest rival in the Republican presidential primary race, Texas Senator Ted Cruz - whose father is Cuban - said on Facebook that Castro's death "cannot bring back his thousands of victims, nor can it bring comfort to their families."
"Today we remember them and honor the brave souls who fought the lonely fight against the brutal Communist dictatorship he imposed on Cuba," Cruz said.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, another conservative Cuban-American who represents southern Florida's 27th district where many Cuban exiles live, also hailed Castro's death.
"A tyrant is dead and a new beginning can dawn on the last remaining communist bastion of the Western hemisphere," she wrote on her website. "We must seize the moment and help write a new chapter in the history of Cuba; that of a Cuba that is free, democratic, and prosperous.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 26 2016 | 8:57 PM IST

Next Story