Fidel Hands Over The Cigar…and Retires to Miami…
OK, so maybe he’s not moving to Miami and probably not going to Disneyland, unless Bush wants to invite him for a family outing. I am sure that there are many that would love for him to come to Miami, where he would be tarred and feathered at best.
Fidel Castro took over the reign of Cuba in 1959, when he overthrew then president Batista and has remained in charge since. Fidel hung on to his One Party Communist rule, through hard times with the U.S., the embargo, the loss of support from the Soviet Union, and the fall of the Soviet Union and Communism throughout the world. It’s hard to fathom the size of the ego of a man who, faced with the reality that the model of government he chose for his people has not and will not work, and who has refused to budge in his convictions, and has held hostage a country for 49 years. Well, there was Hitler and Stalin.
49 years of reign, end with a putter, Fidel wrote a letter posted in the middle of the night, in the state sponsored online newspaper. The long awaited news seems to have come and gone without as much hoopla as would be expected, and maybe that was the plan. Around the world the news, sparked a hope that Cuba will enter a transition into a democratic state, but in Cuba it was just another day at the office. In Miami where most of his exiled opposition resides, there was a lot of discussion but no streets celebrations like 18 months ago when rumors of his death spread. Fidel’s 76 year old brother, Raul Castro has been interim president for the last 18 months, since Fidel fell ill to intestinal problems and so far it has been business as usual. Not that anyone expects anything different from a brother who has been with him since day one of the revolution. Cuban exiles are skeptical that anything will change for the Cuban people.
In Miami, Florida, the news came as no surprise to Janisset Rivero, the executive director of the Cuban Democratic Directorate, a group that works with dissidents in Cuba.
“I think there have been preparations taking place for quite a while to assure the crowning of Raúl Castro,” she said Tuesday morning. “It doesn’t mean any change to the system. It doesn’t mean there will be freedom for the Cubans. One big dictator is replacing the other.
“It will be a big deal when political prisoners are released, when political parties are allowed to organize, when the country stops being ruled by a single party.” Source: CNN: Cuba quiet after Castro announces resignation
The new President will be picked by the National Assembly on Sunday, Raul Castro has been primed to receive the nomination.
communism cuba fidel castro raul castro totalitarianism
on February 20th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Love the headline…my wife expressed surprise and then laughter when I read the headline and openning line to her.
on April 23rd, 2008 at 9:43 am
Me encanto….I loved it