The World Reacts to Fidel's Retirement

Fidel Castro, Cuba's now-former president, published a column in state-owned newspapers on Friday in response to the world's reaction to his retirement.

American presidential candidates have called for democracy in Cuba. Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama argued about how best to push for change during a Thursday night debate. Republican candidate John McCain said Friday that he hopes Castro will die "very soon."

With comments like these flying around the campaign trail and the White House dissing his younger brother Raul as a "dictator lite," Castro said he couldn't hold back.

"I enjoyed observing the embarrassing position of all the presidential candidates in the United States. One by one, they could be seen forced to proclaim their immediate demands of Cuba so as not to alienate a single voter," Castro wrote.

"'Change, change, change!' they shouted in unison. I agree. 'Change!' But in the United States."

On Sunday, parliament is expected to name Raul Castro, Fidel's younger brother, as his successor. Fidel will remain the head of the Communist Party.

Not all countries had negative things to say about the longtime Cuban leader, however.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry praised Fidel as a close ally who did not allow U.S. sanctions and embargo to hinder his leadership.

"The Korean people have regarded Fidel Castro as the closest comrade-in-arms and comrade, and will make positive efforts to steadily consolidate and develop the relations of friendship with the fraternal Cuban people," the North's official Korean Central News Agency cited the Foreign Ministry as saying.

Good riddance.