US President Barack Obama offered condolences on Saturday to the family of Cuba’s deceased former leader Fidel Castro, and urged the nation to regard the United States as a friend, Sputnik International reported.

"Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro's family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people," Obama’s statement circulated by the White House read.

"In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America," the message concluded.