Cuba has declared nine days of national mourning to mark the death of Fidel Castro at the age of 90.
Cuban President Castro has prompted emotional scenes in Havana and Miami, tributes and reflections from world leaders, and ushered the island into an uncertain era.
One of the leaders who commented about the former Cuban President was Donald Trump, who hopes for a free Cuba after Castro's death.
The US president-elect, Donald Trump, described Castro as a "brutal dictator" who had oppressed his people for nearly six decades.
According to Trump that Castro's legacy is one of unimaginable suffering and the denial of fundamental human rights but still, Cuba remains totalitarian island and hopes that it would move away from the total horrors endured for too long and would live in the freedom they deserve.
US President Barack Obama also offered his condolences and prayers to the Cuban people. Knowing that two years ago US President Barack Obama brokered a deal to restore diplomatic ties between Washington and Havana for the first time. Obama also urged Cubans to remember that they had a friend and partner in the United States of America.
The contrasting language from Obama and his successor, according to analysts, suggests Trump may take a less conciliatory line on the US's recently renewed relationship with its smaller neighbor, a relationship already seen as one of the main legacies of Obama's presidency.
To recall, Castro, was one of the world's best-known and most controversial leaders, survived countless US assassination attempts and premature obituaries, but in the end proved mortal and died late on Friday night after a long battle with illness.
Castro wrote occasional columns for the party paper, Granma, and made very occasional public appearances - most recently at the 2016 Communist party congress - but otherwise kept a very low profile.
Given the former president's age and health problems, the announcement of his death had long been expected. Castro's younger brother, Raúl, who assumed the presidency of Cuba in 2006 after Fidel suffered a near-fatal intestinal ailment, announced the revolutionary leader's death on television on Friday night.
Raúl Castro concluded his address with the famous revolutionary slogan: "Ever onwards to victory!"
On Saturday, the Cuban government announced Castro's ashes would be interred at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago de Cuba on 4 December. The cemetery is the resting place of 19th-century Cuban independence hero José Martí and numerous other leading figures in the country's torrid history.
In a telegram to Raúl Castro cited by the Kremlin, the Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Fidel has rightly considered the symbol of an era in modern world history adding that Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia.
The French president, François Hollande, mourned his loss but noted concerns over human rights under the Castro regime.
Meanwhile, Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa, thanked Castro for his help and support in the fight to overthrow apartheid.
Pope Francis also sent Raúl Castro his condolences in a telegram expressing his sentiments of sorrow to Fidel's excellency and other family members of the deceased dignitary, as well as to the people of this beloved nation.
Castro survived long enough to see Raúl negotiate the opening with Obama. After outlasting nine occupants of the White House, he cautiously blessed the historic deal with his lifelong enemy in a letter published after a month-long silence.
Although the news had long been anticipated in Cuba, the mood in the capital was one of shock, with Havana residents expressing their sense of loss. "I'm speechless. Many Cubans are dismayed," said Mercedes Copa, 59.
Fidel's death opens a period of uncertainty. According to reports, perhaps that day is the start of a new stage in Cuban history.
Despite the mixed reactions to his death, one thing all could agree on Fidel Castro was his extraordinary figure had left his mark on history.
