Ted Cruz Walks Out Of Nelson Mandela Tribute During Raul Castro Speech

Senator Ted Cruz walked out of Raul Castro's speech during Nelson Mandela's tribute in South Africa. Unlike President Obama, who made headlines for shaking the Cuban leader's hand, Senator Cruz turned his back on Castro when it came his turn to speak at the ceremony. It was apparently a deliberate act of protest: Cruz, who is of Cuban heritage, walked out in protest of Castro's human rights violations.

"Sen. Cruz very much hopes that Castro learns the lessons of Nelson Mandela," Cruz spokeswoman Catherine Frazier told ABC News. "For decades, Castro has wrongly imprisoned and tortured countless innocents. Just as Mandela was released after 27 years in prison, Castro should finally release his political prisoners. He should hold free elections, and once and for all, set the Cuban people free."

Raul Castro's speech was always going to be difficult for the Senator: Cruz' father left prior to Fidel Castro's ascension to power. Despite Mandela's friendship with the former Cuban dictator, Cuba has long been at the centre of criticism for human rights abuses. Just yesterday a peaceful demonstration by the Ladies in White was interrupted by authorities dragging protesters into detention for several hours.