Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admits that former Cuban president Fidel Castro was a dictator, but claims it was okay to say some positive things about him following his death.

The leader of the 1959 Cuban revolution died Friday night at the age of 90.

In a statement Saturday, Trudeau expressed “deep sorrow” about Castro’s death. He praised Castro’s reforms to his country’s education system and health-care system without saying anything about his human rights violations.

Amonf those criticizing the Prime Minister was Conservative leadership candidate Lisa Raitt who said Trudeau has placed himself on the wrong side of history, against millions of Cubans yearning for freedom.

Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio of Florida said Trudeau’s statement is shameful.

Trudeau stands by his statement, saying it wasn’t inappropriate to acknowledge Castro’s achievements, and that he never shies away from talking about human rights issues with world leaders, and did so on his recent trip to Cuba.