2008 Woodie Awards
Castro Resigns
Max Edmands
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
On Tuesday, February 19, Cuba's president Fidel Castro announced that he was resigning after a long illness. This announcement was made in a letter written by Castro to the Cuban nation, and published on Granma, the official Cuban Communist Party Web site. On Sunday, the Cuban National Assembly met to select Castro's successor, despite urgings from Washington to hold free elections.
Castro, 81 years old, had been the leader of Cuba for 49 years. In July 2006, when he underwent emergency intestinal surgery, he handed over power temporarily to his younger brother Raul. Since then, he has not been seen in public. It is widely expected that Raul, 76 years old, will be selected to succeed him. However, other contenders include Vice-President Carlos Lage, 56, or Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roqe, 42.
In his letter, Castro wrote, "It would betray my conscience to occupy a responsibility that requires total mobility and the total commitment that I am not in the physical condition to offer. ... I will not aspire to neither will I accept -- I repeat I will not aspire to neither will I accept -- the position of President of the Council of State and Commander in chief."
Castro also pledged to continue to be a force in Cuban politics through his writings, just as he has over the last year and a half. "I only wish to fight as a soldier of ideas," he wrote in his letter.
This statement raised the possibility that little would change after Sunday's vote, that Cuba would continue to be controlled by Raul Castro, with Fidel Castro lurking in the wings.
President Bush, while traveling in Rwanda on a tour of African nations, stated that this shift in power in Cuba should lead to free elections. "The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty," he said. Bush also called for Cuba to release political prisoners.
Although Fidel Castro has not been seen in public for 19 months, the Cuban government occasionally releases photographs and videos of him meeting visiting leaders from around the world.
Cuba currently has universal free healthcare and a top-notch education system, but also a failing economy.
Castro, 81 years old, had been the leader of Cuba for 49 years. In July 2006, when he underwent emergency intestinal surgery, he handed over power temporarily to his younger brother Raul. Since then, he has not been seen in public. It is widely expected that Raul, 76 years old, will be selected to succeed him. However, other contenders include Vice-President Carlos Lage, 56, or Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roqe, 42.
In his letter, Castro wrote, "It would betray my conscience to occupy a responsibility that requires total mobility and the total commitment that I am not in the physical condition to offer. ... I will not aspire to neither will I accept -- I repeat I will not aspire to neither will I accept -- the position of President of the Council of State and Commander in chief."
Castro also pledged to continue to be a force in Cuban politics through his writings, just as he has over the last year and a half. "I only wish to fight as a soldier of ideas," he wrote in his letter.
This statement raised the possibility that little would change after Sunday's vote, that Cuba would continue to be controlled by Raul Castro, with Fidel Castro lurking in the wings.
President Bush, while traveling in Rwanda on a tour of African nations, stated that this shift in power in Cuba should lead to free elections. "The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty," he said. Bush also called for Cuba to release political prisoners.
Although Fidel Castro has not been seen in public for 19 months, the Cuban government occasionally releases photographs and videos of him meeting visiting leaders from around the world.
Cuba currently has universal free healthcare and a top-notch education system, but also a failing economy.
Be the first to comment on this story