How does one accurately describe the legacy of the infamous Fidel Castro?

Many are left to answer this question as the former Cuban president passed away on Nov. 25 at the age of 90.

Castro’s death was polarizing to say the least. Most celebrated the death of a vicious totalitarian who crippled many generations of Cubans, while others reflected upon Castro’s rule with great loyalty, acknowledging the changes he brought to Cuba. No matter which light people choose to view Castro in, the fact remains that the impact he had on his nation shall last for generations.

Anthony DePalma of The New York Times defined Castro as “the fiery apostle of revolution who brought the Cold War to the Western Hemisphere in 1959 and then defied the United States for nearly half a century as Cuba’s maximum leader, bedeviling 11 American presidents and briefly pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war.”

The interesting part of Castro’s death has been the reactions from different generations of Cubans. Many Cubans of older generations have mourned his death since they lived through the height of Castro’s rule. On the other hand, younger generations of Cubans, specifically many who defected to the U.S., view his death as cathartic, for they possess a lot of animosity toward Castro.

The legacy of Castro is one that negatively impacted the island nation of Cuba. Economically, the nation suffered greatly under his implementation of a “socialism or death” approach. The impact from the struggling economy has also seen the nation become socially divided between those who grew tired of his dictatorship and those who blindly followed him.

While his death marks the end of a tyrannical era, it unfortunately does not assure prosperity for Cuba. In 2006 Castro turned over the presidency to his brother Raul, who shares similar political views in many regards. While the nation may not be treading the murky waters under the former Castro, their future remains just as bleak.

The death of Castro is bittersweet to say the very least, but one must not get completely lost in his minute positivity, for his vile rhetoric proved lethal for the nation he claimed to love and has prevented Cuba’s progression for decades. Unfortunately, his death does not accomplish enough for the people of Cuba.