The Bush administration is defying calls to lift its embargo on Cuba following the announcement of Fidel Castro’s resignation. On Tuesday, more than 100 members of Congress urged the United States to review its policy of isolation toward Cuba. The letter stated, “Our policy leaves us without influence at this critical moment, and this serves neither the U.S. national interest nor average Cubans, the intended beneficiaries of our policy.” The U.S. has maintained an embargo on Cuba since 1960. President Bush addressed the Cuban situation during a stop in Rwanda.

President George W. Bush: “The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy. And eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections. And I mean free, and I mean fair, not these kind of staged elections that the Castro brothers try to foist off as being true democracy. And we’re going to help. The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty.”

Meanwhile, leaders in South America paid tribute to Fidel Castro on Tuesday. This is Bolivian President Evo Morales.

President Evo Morales: “Personally, I felt a lot deeply because I have enormous admiration for him. Fidel taught us how to be soldiers. Fidel taught us how to work for life, for humanity and solidarity. I learned that.”

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described Castro as a legend.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: “I think this is important for harmony in Latin America, because the process happened in a calmer way, with Fidel’s initiative, as it should have happened. The great myth continues. Fidel is the only living myth in the history of humanity, and I believe he built that with a lot of competence, character, will and also with a lot of conflict, a lot of controversy.”