“Fidel has his own special way of fusing himself with the people, which can be appreciated only by seeing him in action. At the great public mass meetings one can observe something like the dialogue of two tuning forks whose vibrations interact, producing new sounds. Fidel and the mass begin to vibrate together in a dialogue of growing intensity until they reach a climax in an abrupt conclusion crowned by our cry of struggle and victory.” Che Guevara, 1965
"Castro sitting in a military uniform in the United Nations does not scandalise the under-developed countries. What Castro demonstrates is the consciousness he has of the continuing existence of the rule of violence. The astonishing thing is that he did not come to the UN with a machine gun". Franz Fannon, The Wretched of the Earth (1961)
“This man more than superseded my every expectation I had... he will rank in history with some of the greats.” Errol Flynn, 1959
"His speeches are nearer to Cobbett than Churchill and in my opinion the greater for that." Graham Greene, writing in the Telegraph, December 2 1966
"They refused to grant me a proper visa because I admire Fidel Castro." Diego Maradona on receiving an eight-day visa to tour the U.S with Boca Junior, while his team mates were given 10-year visas, August 1995
"I went to Cuba in July 1991, and I drove through the streets with Fidel Castro. There were a great deal of cheers. And I also waved back believing that these cheers were for me. Fidel was very humble; he smiled but he never said a word. But when I reached the square where I had to make some remarks to the crowd, then I realized that these cheers were not meant for me, they were meant for Fidel Castro. Because everybody forgot about me, and was really aroused by Fidel Castro. Then I realized that here was a man of the masses." Nelson Mandela
"He knew that I was the first black woman to appear on the cover of Vogue and that Kate Moss started the revolution of little models. So I suppose we were both revolutionaries in his eyes'." Naomi Campbell after meeting Castro, June 1998
"It just happened. There were a whole lot of people in the room. I was talking to them and I turned around and he was standing there." Bill Clinton on shaking hands with Castro, September 2000
"For me he is a god." Diego Maradona introducing Castro as his chatshow guest, October 2005
"What's amazing here is you've got a country that's suffered an illegal economic blockade by the United States for almost half a century and yet it's been able to give its people the best standard of health care, brilliant education ... to do this in the teeth of an almost economic war is a tribute to Fidel Castro." Ken Livingstone during a visit to Cuba, November 5 2006
"He's done some good things for his people." Colin Powell, U.S Secretary of State, April 26 2001
“The most honest, courageous politician I have ever met.” Jesse Jackson
