Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: News

After nearly a half century as Cuba's leader, Fidel Castro recently announced his resignation. Will Raul Castro take the place of his brother? [Click to enlarge]

With Fidel Castro's resignation comes a great deal of international uncertainty regarding Cuba's future. [Click to enlarge]

Days before Cuban president Fidel Castro announced his resignation on Feb. 19, after almost 50 years of leadership, he thought education was the antidote for the island's woes.
"I strongly believe that the answer to the current problems facing Cuban society… [is] for its citizens to study without facing discrimination. This is not an easy path to take if the intelligence of a human being in a revolutionary society is to prevail over instinct," wrote the 81-year-old Castro in a letter dated Dec. 17, 2007 published by the Associated Press.
Castro's younger brother, Raúl Castro, 76, was elected Cuba's new president on Sunday, ensuring a continued communist government for the nation. Jose Ramon Machado, a 77-year-old who has worked with the Castro brothers since the late 1950's, beat out younger candidates for the number-two spot in the reshaping Cuban government.
The younger Castro's first presidential speech reinforced Cuba's strong Communist Party ties.
"The Communist Party guarantees the unity of the Cuban nation," said Castro, adding that the Party remains "the directing and superior force of the society and the state."
Most students seemed indifferent to the change in Castro leadership, and even caught off guard because they had not heard the news.
Most think that nothing will change. A Spanish junior, Miranda Bostan, told the AP that she thought Castro's resignation was announced at this time to allow him the possibility of grooming his brother, the new Cuban president, while the elder Castro still has much strength and influence over the government.
"He'll still be alive to see what's going to happen," she said, as quoted by the AP.
Raúl Castro manages differently from his brother, who was a micro-manager. Raúl instead is said to delegate authority, holding high up officials accountable for their duties. He also is said to sponsor town-hall style meetings, encourage debate and bring up issues that his brother did not.
Before being elected president for the first time on Dec. 2, 1976, Castro held the title of prime minister for 18 years, and only 30 percent of current Cuban citizens were alive when he took power.
They certainly never thought they would live to read the words: "I will neither aspire to nor accept- the position of President of the State Council and Commander-in-Chief," in Castro's last communication of "Reflections of the Commander-in-Chief" column in the Cuban Granma newspaper, which is now re-titled "Reflections of Comrade Fidel."
In his column, published Feb. 22, Castro mocked the response of George W. Bush, who said the resignation is the start of democratic change on the island and called to release political prisoners. Bush said that he would not meet Cuba's president for talks if the president were one of the Castro brothers.
"Change change change!" Castro was quoted by the AP. "I agree. But change in the United States."
"One by one, they could be seen forced to proclaim their immediate demands to Cuba so as not to alienate a single voter." He added taking potshots at the presidential candidates.
Raúl Castro has indeed talked about improving U.S. relations with Cuba. But, many Cubans reported indifference to the news that his brother was stepping down because of the expectation of Raúl to succeed and that he would be still under his brother's influence. Castro is still head of the Communist Party in Cuba, the only legal party of the island.
"I think when any government's power figure disappears it creates a vacuum. There's the danger that people who want power for the wrong reasons will acquire it. That's the motivation for people with good intentions," warned SSU music major Wayne Farren, saying that he felt the Cuban rural areas wouldn't be greatly impacted should there be more complications in relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
"I think it will open up more in trade. That depends more on how the citizens of Cuba react than how America reacts. It all depends on how their relationship changes and how things change there," added Farren.
In addition response from the Cuban-American community in big metropolitan areas such as Miami, Fla. was also muted. Some were surprised thinking the step-down was due to personal problems rather than illness and others expected it, citing his age.
Those awed by Castro's charismatic personality and his stance against the U.S. were saddened. Eden Torrez, a professor in Chicano studies, told the AP she felt Fidel Castro's absence upset the balance of diverse world leaders.
"I think he was one of the last great leaders in socialism. He was a unique figure in world history," said Torrez.
Although Castro said he does not want to stand in the way of the new generation taking over, he does not seem to want to disappear into private life so easily.
"This is not my farewell to you," said Castro in his resignation statements. "My only wish is to fight as a soldier in the battle of ideas."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools