After news emerged of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro's death on Friday, there were two broad sentiments felt around the world: grief or joy.
Western world leaders tasked with addressing the revolutionary's death had to be sensitive to the controversial place Castro had in history given his poor human rights record, and craft statements that were measured but not laudatory.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among the leaders who released a statement on the Cuban leader's passing, but many believe he failed to achieve the right balance and was too effusive in his praise.
“It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba’s longest serving President," the statement began.
Trudeau called Castro a "larger than life leader" and praised his health care and education reforms.
The Canadian leader said that while Castro was "controversial," everyone could recognize his "tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people."
Trudeau also mentioned his father Pierre Elliot Trudeau's proud friendship with Castro and remembered meeting him at his father's funeral.
The statement ended with Trudeau saying, "We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.”
Reacting on Twitter, many people criticized the prime minister for apparently praising Castro while disregarding those who suffered under his rule.
Many said that Trudeau's statement blatantly ignored, or even revised, the past.
[Google search] define: "revisionist history" https://t.co/p09oXAgwTH
Justin Trudeau's statement about Castro loving his own people and being a larger than life leader...
And with Trudeau's characterization of Castro as "serving" the Cuban people.
Disgraceful statement from Justin Trudeau re Castro. No, Justin, Fidel didn't "serve" Cuban people. He made them se… https://t.co/Pn8epd8d8W
This man even said Trudeau's statement made him ashamed to be Canadian.
After reading Cdn PM Justin Trudeau's Love Letter to Fidel Castro I can say I've never been ashamed to be Canadian...expect now. #cdnpoli
Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, US senators with Cuban-American parents, also blasted Trudeau's statement.
Disgraceful. Why do young socialists idolize totalitarian tyrants? Castro, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot -- all evil, tortu… https://t.co/PaObxGwVPJ
Is this a real statement or a parody? Because if this is a real statement from the PM of Canada it is shameful & em… https://t.co/jqS62nwMB3
Not all responses were so biting, with many making fun of Trudeau for his statement.
"Justin Trudeau, we need your statement about Fidel Castro."
Praising Castro is a big Justin Trudeaun't
Fidel Castro dies on Black Friday. US: Cuban Americans take to the streets celebrating. Canada: Justin Trudeau sin… https://t.co/LGCZ1aTQAS
Justin Trudeau & every Justin I've ever met has been a liar, doofus and downright uninformed. Fidel Castro was a MURDEROUS DICTATOR..!!
Of course, there were some that defended Trudeau's statement. "It read as diplomacy to me," one person remarked.
People outraged over Trudeau's comments on Castro? It read as diplomacy to me.
But the backlash was still significant. Josh Barro, editor of Business Insider, even said that President-elect Donald Trump's brief Twitter response — "Fidel Castro is dead!" — was more appropriate than Trudeau's.
Trump's statement on Castro is better than Justin Trudeau's statement tbh. https://t.co/Xgum8RyNp5