Fidel Castro Officially Resigns

Tue19Feb2008

Fidel Castro Officially Resigns

He ain't dead yet- so the Miami fiestas may be subdued, but there will be fiestas none the less I'm sure as ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro finally admitted what most already knew, that he will not return to lead the country as president or commander-in-chief. This ends a 49 year run as leader of the Caribbean island nation, a position he took in a historic and controversial armed revolution.

To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honor in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept -- I repeat not aspire to or accept -- the positions of President of Council of State and Commander in Chief," Castro said in the statement published on the Web site of the Communist Party's Granma newspaper.

It is expected that Raul Castro, Fidel's 76 year old little brother, who has been running things since emergency surgery to stop intestinal bleeding forced Castro to delegate power on July 31, 2006, will be officially nominated as head of state.

This is the end of something historic. What the change in official power will actually translate to inside of Cuba and in how the rest of the world deals with Cuba remains to be seen.

Via / Yahoo! News

Cubans Now Free to Stay in Hotels (Though Not for Free) (Tuesday, Apr 01 2008)
Cuba Meet Your New (Old) President! Raul Castro. (Monday, Feb 25 2008)

Maegan la Mala

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1. Jennifer Woodard Maderazo ~ Tuesday, Feb 19 2008 | 12:35H:

This is exciting, I think. Even though the Castro dynasty continues, Raul -- as evidenced in recent efforts to reach out to other countries and even the debate forums I wrote about yesterday -- is clearly moving towards a more open Cuba. Not everyone will be happy, because Cuba will remain faithful to its principles, but I think it's step in the right direction.

VivirLatino