Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States of America, died on the night of December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. Since the announcement of his death, tributes, particularly from politicians, have multiplied.
Jimmy Carter died in Plains, Georgia on the night of December 29, 2024. A prominent member of the Democratic Party, he was the 39th President of the United States of America from January 20, 1977 to January 20, 1981. Defeated by Ronald Reagan at the end of his first term, Jimmy Carter founded the Carter Foundation in 1982. Twenty years later, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his tireless efforts for the peaceful resolution of international conflicts, democracy, human rights and economic and social development.
On his X account, Emmanuel Macron wanted to pay tribute to him. “All his life, Jimmy Carter defended the rights of the most vulnerable people and tirelessly led the fight for peace. France sends its moved thoughts to his family and to the American people.”, we can read on the published post upon the announcement of his death.
Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter defended the rights of the most vulnerable people and tirelessly led the fight for peace. France sends its moved thoughts to his family and to the American people.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 29, 2024
Internationally, many political figures also paid tribute to the memory of the democrat. The current President of the United States, Joe Biden, first regretted the loss of a “dear friend, an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. The Democrat also requested that all American flags be flown at half-mast for a period of 30 days and declared a national day of mourning on January 9, 2025.
For his part, Donald Trump said the country owed him “gratitude” for his only term from 1977 to 1981. “The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a crucial time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For this, we all owe him gratitude,” wrote the 45th and soon to be 47th American president about his predecessor.
Barack Obama, for his part, regretted the death of a “remarkable man”. “President Carter taught us all what it means to live with elegance, dignity, justice and in service” to others, he praised on his account to remember that what his predecessor accomplished “will inspire generations of Americans.”
Miguel Diaz-Canel, current Cuban president, assured that his people “will remember with gratitude his efforts to improve relations, his visits to Cuba and his declaration in favor of the freedom of the Five” Cuban agents arrested in 1998 and convicted of espionage in the United States. Jimmy Carter did play a notable role in relations between Cuba and the United States after the tense years following the Cuban revolution of 1959. Carter, for example, lifted some travel restrictions, allowing Americans to visit Cuba more easily, and it encouraged cultural and academic exchanges. He also maintained a policy of welcoming Cuban refugees, although it generated social and political challenges in the United States. In 2002, he visited Cuba, becoming the first former U.S. president to do so since the 1959 revolution. During that visit, he met with Fidel Castro and advocated for better understanding between the two countries.