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World Reacts to Cuban Leader Fidel Castro's Death

by Fern Robinson

   WASHINGTON --

   Cubans in Havana took to the streets to mourn the passing of Fidel
   Castro. The passing of the man known to most Cubans as "El Comandante"
   -- the commander -- or simply "Fidel" leaves a void in the country he
   dominated for so long.

   "I am very upset. Whatever you want to say, he is public figure that
   the whole world respected and loved," said Havana student Sariel
   Valdespino.

   Meanwhile in Miami, Florida, about 145 kilometers (90 miles) away in
   the United States, Cubans took to the streets in celebration of
   Castro's death. Some were draped in Cuban flags, other danced in the
   streets, some dazed in disbelief that this day -- so long wished for --
   was finally here.

   Watch: In Miami a celebration of Castro's death

   "Cuba si! Castro no!'' people chanted in the streets, while others
   screamed "Cuba libre!''

   Forty-year-old financial executive Gabriel Morales, whose parents left
   Cuba decades ago, said the news of Castro's death "seems unreal.''

   Carlos Lopez told the Miami Herald, "We are not celebrating one man's
   death, but the death of an ideology. We are celebrating that little
   piece of liberty we got back today."

   On Twitter, Gloria La Riva said, "...His legacy will endure because he
   leaves a strong country of true revolutionaries, people who have given
   of themselves countless times as medical workers, as teachers, as
   construction workers, as combatants, all for humanity..."

   Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Twitter, "I lament the
   death of Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution and
   emblematic reference of the 20th century."

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

   "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," Interfax news agency quoted Gorbachev as saying.