Castro Resigns

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Fidel Castro announced his resignation as president of Cuba and commander-in-chief of Cuba's military on Tuesday, according to a letter published in the state-run newspaper, Granma.

Castro, 81, temporarily handed power to his younger brother Raul Castro in July 2006 after undergoing intestinal surgery. He hasn't been seen in public since his surgery, but he has appeared in numerous videos and photos in state media.

The announcement of Castro's resignation appeared just before 3 a.m. on the Web site of the state-run newspaper.

The news is likely to send shock waves across the island and through the tens of thousands of Cuban exiles who have sought refugee in the United States.

In December 2007, a Cuban television news anchor read a letter reportedly written by Fidel Castro promising he would not "cling to office" or be an impediment to rising young leaders.

Castro took power in Cuba in 1959 and has ruled the island nation ever since, governing the first communist nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Raul Castro is generally seen as more pragmatic and less inclined to deliver the kind of long-winded speeches for which his brother is famous.

Ordinary Cubans have wondered whether a permanent change in power in Cuba will lead to lower food prices, higher salaries and more freedom to travel.

I wonder if Raul, 76, is one of the young leaders?

It's kind of amazing to think that someone has held onto power for all but one year of my life.

Perhaps the next President of the USA will allow Cubans in the US to freely visit their families in Cuba.

It really is absurd that the US government persists in restrictions on visits and trade, while the rest of the world is in free contact with Cuba, Britons have Cuba as a popular holiday destination, and Fred Puli (the well known treacherous running dog of capitalism) is smoking a Havana cigar, as usual, as this is typed.(Thereby, I may say, bringing more revenue and profit to the governments of Britain or France than to the Cuban one! )

One is left to wonder whether Fidel is still among the living.

quote:

Originally posted by juanruiz:
One is left to wonder whether Fidel is still among the living.

He doesn't look to be in perfect health, but he's still alive, it seems:
BBC: Ailing Castro says 'I feel good'

Ooops..that was a year ago..maybe your're right , jr

Castro's imminent demise, like AnswerPool's, has been predicted for a long time. Many of those predicting Castro's departed long before him. I'd wait until the announcement before starting to dig any graves.

Cuba signs human rights pledges

A sign of change?

I wouldn't hold my breath.