Reaction

World reaction split, with many European nations urging Cuba to seek democratic reforms while most Latin American nations remained silent or noncommittal.

President Bush: "The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy. And eventually, this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections -- and I mean free and I mean fair, not these kind of staged elections that the Castro brothers try to foist off as being true democracy."

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown: It is "an opportunity to make progress toward a peaceful transition to a pluralist democracy."

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: Castro and Cuba "have demonstrated to the world and above all to the empire that the Cuban revolution does not depend on one person."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who considers himself a friend of Castro: "Fidel is the only living legend in the history of humanity. He built this through his strength of character, strength of will and also lots of controversy."

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias: "What we can do is ask the Cuban people if they want to continue with this regime, this dictatorship, because that's what it is."

Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos, whose Sandinista government is allied with Castro: "Fidel has been a giant of history and resigns as a giant."

Jorge Castaneda, a former foreign minister in Mexico: "In 50 years he tried to export his revolution. And today, now that the left governs many countries, none follow his example, except the leaders of Venezuela and Bolivia. The left that works, and with lots of success, is social democratic, globalized and pro-market."

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt: It "marks the end of an era that began with high hopes but ended with oppression."

China's foreign ministry: "He is an old friend of the Chinese people. China wishes him a speedy recovery."

Russia's Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov: "It's a brave decision and in taking it I'm sure Fidel Castro was guided by the interests of his country and his people."

Janisset Rivero, the executive director of Cuban Democratic Directorate, a group that works with dissidents in Cuba: "It doesn't mean there will be freedom for the Cubans. One big dictator is replacing the other."