The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro:
“It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba’s longest serving President.
“Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and healthcare of his island nation.
“While a controversial figure, both Mr. Castro’s supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for “el Comandante”.
“I know my father was very proud to call him a friend and I had the opportunity to meet Fidel when my father passed away. It was also a real honour to meet his three sons and his brother President Raúl Castro during my recent visit to Cuba.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and many, many supporters of Mr. Castro. We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.”
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/11/26/...t-fidel-castro
(not so fast, Mr. Trudeau.....)
Maxime Bernier ✔ @MaximeBernier 1/I can't believe our PM is expressing "deep sorrow" and calling "legendary revolutionary" and "remarkable leader"..
Lisa Raitt ✔ @lraitt Prime Minister Trudeau should apologize and retract his statement on the death of dictator Fidel Castro
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/ca...rudeaueulogies
His statement was met with puzzlement and derision by some Americans, including Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who is of Cuban descent.
“Is this a real statement or parody? Because if this is a real statement from the PM of Canada it is shameful and embarrassing,”
Rubio tweeted.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who is also of Cuban descent, agreed with Rubio, calling Trudeau’s remarks "disgraceful."
In a series of tweets, Cruz suggested that Trudeau and President Barack Obama — whose own
statement avoided directly criticizing Castro, although steered clear of praise — "take a min (sic) to look into the eyes of victims of communism" before "slobbering adulation on tyrants."
These are very creative:
https://twitter.com/search?q=trudeau...ogies&src=typd
This is much more appropriate; perhaps Mr. Trudeau should have consulted her before making a statement:
Rona Ambrose
8 hrs ·
With the passing of Fidel Castro, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Cuba who continue to endure his long and oppressive regime, even after his death. Under his rule, thousands were impoverished, thousands were imprisoned and executed, and free speech, thought and assembly were curtailed or banned, all to live up to his version of 'socialism'.
Canada and the Cuban people have had a long and warm friendship over many years. With today's news, my hope is that a brighter day will be coming for the Cuban people, where they may live in freedom and where democracy, human rights, and the rule of law are enshrined.