An icon for some, a controversial dictator for others, he survived what he said were countless US assassination attempts, but it was illness which forced him out of power in 2006 and ceded the presidency to his brother.

It was Raul Castro who announced his passing on TV saying:

“Dear people of Cuba, with deep sorrow I stand before you to announce to our people, to our friends of America and the world that today, Novembre 25th 2016, at 10.29pm the commander in chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, died. To respect the will of the companion Fidel his remains will be incinerated in the first hours of saturday 26th.”

A moment in history. #fidelcastro pic.twitter.com/8uXxS9jQQ4

— euronews (@euronews) 26 novembre 2016

An official quoted by AFP news agency said a procession with his ashes will cross Cuba over the course of four days.

His funeral has been announced for 4 December in Santiago de Cuba.

World leaders react

@EPN ????????

— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) 26 novembre 2016

Mexican President Nieto tweeted his condolences for the Cuban leader and what he called ‘an emblematic reference for the 20th century, adding, that ‘Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico.’

Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro said he had spoken with Raul to convey his solidarity with the people of Cuba.

Fidel y Chávez construyeron el ALBA,PetroCaribe y dejaron abonado el Camino de la Liberación de nuestros Pueblos...La Historia los Absolvió pic.twitter.com/hexgMJ0rmn

— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) 26 novembre 2016

Ecuador’s president Rafael Correa hailed Fidel as a ‘great man’ saying ‘Long live Cuba, Long Live Latin America.’

In a telegram to Raul Castro, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the late leader an “inspiring example for many countries”, adding that Fidel was a ‘frank and tried and true friend of Russia.’

Former Soviet leader Gorbachev hailed Fidel Castro for ‘strengthening’ Cuba.

Se fue un grande. Murió Fidel.
¡Viva Cuba! ¡Viva América Latina!

— Rafael Correa (@MashiRafael) 26 novembre 2016

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a statement that: “the Chinese people have lost a close comrade and a sincere friend”.

Reacting to the news Britain’s Foreign Minister said it ‘marks the end of an era’. There is no reaction yet from the prime minister.

Mis condolencias al gobierno y autoridades cubanas por el fallecimiento del expresidente Fidel Castro, una figura de calado histórico. MR

— Mariano Rajoy Brey (@marianorajoy) 26 novembre 2016

Spain’s prime minister Mariano Rajoy extended his condolences to the Cuban government and authorities for the passing of a figure of historical importance.

Reactions in Miami

His nearly five decades in power divided many Cuban families. For those who chose exile in the US, the news of his death turned a page on history.

Acabo de hablar con el Presidente RaúlCastro para transmitir la Solidaridad y Amor al PueblodeCuba ante la partida del ComandanteFidelCastro

— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) 26 novembre 2016

Fidel Castro 1926-2016

• Born August 13, 1926 to a wealthy farmer.
• He adopted leftist anti-imperial politics while studying at the University of Havana.
• In 1959, with his guerilla army he overthrew the regime of General Fulgencio Batista. He was prime minister until 1976.
• From 1976-2008 he was the president of Cuba.
• He countered the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.
• The alliance with the USSR culminated in one of the defining events of the Cold War with the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
• Post millenium, he formed alliances with Latin America’s leftist governments.

Fidel #Castro's death marks the end of an era for #Cuba & the start of a new one for Cuba's people

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) 26 novembre 2016

• Fidel transferrred his responsibilities in 2006, with brother Raul taking over the presidency, but he officially retired in 2008.
• One of the last times he was seen in public was on August 13, 2016 at celebrations for his 90th birthday.

Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 26 novembre 2016

• He died on November 25, 2016.

Police have shut down the block in front of @VersaillesMiami as Little Havana celebrates #FidelCastro's death @MiamiHerald pic.twitter.com/9bw2o71Xmn

— Carlos Frías (@Carlos_Frias) 26 novembre 2016

The thaw

Fidel outlasted 10 US administrations, but lived to see the warming of Cuban ties with Washington. However, it was a long road to the thawing of relations. At the height of hostilities, the two countries came to the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 (Joanna Gill - Euronews)