Castro was in power in Cuba since the communist revolution in 1959 until he stepped down as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in 2011 in favour of his brother Raul Castro. He has been praised by socialists for his radical left-wing politics, and improved health and education in Cuba. However, Castro would not allow any opposition to his rule and imprisoned many political dissidents to consolidate his power.

Due to this, he has been accused of being a dictator and many fled the country during his decades in charge.

Mr Corbyn has been criticised for his positive words about oppressive socialist regimes including in Cuba and Venezuela.

When Castro died in 2016, the Labour leader made several inflammatory remarks in which he praised Castro, despite the many human rights abuses the Cuban had inflicted on his people.

Mr Corbyn said: “Fidel Castro was a massive figure in the history of the whole planet ever since the revolution in 1959.

“The stories of his heroism living in Mexico in exile and then the boat, The Ganma, to Cuba and then the march to Havana and then the revolution in 1959.

“He managed to bring good quality health services to all the people of Cuba, good quality education to all the people of Cuba and of course he had a foreign policy that was global, but was particularly important in southern Agrica in supporting Angola against the apartheid regime.

“I think history will show that Fidel was somebody that stood up for something very, very different in the Caribbean and many independent people would say how good healthcare and education is in Cuba compared to so many other places in the world.

However, Cuba is not the only socialist regime that Mr Corbyn has praised.

Venezuela, which is now experiencing a crisis involving hyperinflation, starvation, crime and mass emmigration, has also been the subject of praise from the Labour leader.

He explicitly praised former President Hugo Chavez and he has repeatedly refused to explicitly condemn the human rights abuses carried out by President Nicolas Maduro’s regime.

On Mr Chavez’ death in 2013, Mr Corbyn tweeted: “Thanks Hugo Chavez for showing that the poor matter and wealth can be shared.

“He made massive contributions to Venezuela and a very wide world.”

When asked about the human rights abuses of Maduro’s government in 2017, Mr Corbyn said: “I have made it very clear that there should not be any abuses of human rights or any violence or any abuses of free speech – any abuses of human rights by anybody.”

Channel 4’s Jon Snow responded: “I notice you don’t use the word government and you don’t use the word Maduro and they are to blame.”

Mr Corbyn hit back: “I said any and that includes the government.”

Mr Corbyn has also been criticised for referring to Hezbollah as “friends” and for meeting with members of the IRA.

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