Fidel Castro Has Resigned as President of Cuba

[Matt Molnar]

Castro Resigns Cuban Presidency
Feb 19 03:19 AM US/Eastern

HAVANA (AP) - Ailing leader Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president from nearly a half-century early Tuesday, saying in a letter published in online official media that he would not accept a new term when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.

"I will not aspire nor accept—I repeat I will not aspire or accept, the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief," read a letter signed by Castro published quietly overnight without advance warning in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma. [Read more...]

Wasn't expecting to see this working late tonight...or ever. :shock:

[PhilDernerJr]

Celebrations in Miami today, I assume.

Some wild news. I am concerned about his replacement.

[Midnight Mike]

The announcement effectively ends the rule of the 81-year-old Castro after almost 50 years, positioning his 76-year-old brother Raul for permanent succession to the presidency. Fidel Castro temporarily ceded his powers to his brother on July 31, 2006, when he announced that he had undergone intestinal surgery.

It was only a matter of time, Castro has really been out of power for a couple of years, the transfer power will be quite seemless.

The real excitement will be what happens when Castro's brother dies, he is 76 years old, not exactly a spring-chicken...

[jran225]

Does this mean that US citizens will soon be able to travel freely to and from Cuba?

Greets,
-Omar S.

[PhilDernerJr]

Depends on who takes over, which will probably be his brother. That means little will change.

[T-Bird76]

Does this mean that US citizens will soon be able to travel freely to and from Cuba?

Greets,
-Omar S.

No Omar, it totally depends on how the U.S amends its polices towards Cuba. Unless the new leadership wants to change its way nothing will change. The said thing is this isn't a huge deal, he hasn't been in power for a long time but more of a figure head. Yes its historically important but as for change. Sadly the Island will remain isolated from us.

[moose135]

As Tommy said, I don't expect much to change. Fidel's brother Raul has been pretty much running the country for the past 18 months, and I wonder if he will make many changes moving forward. I think the real opportunity for change in Cuba will come with Raul's successor.

Unfortunately, with this being a presidential election year, and the disproportionate influence of the Cuban-American community in South Florida, I don't see any sign of the US changing its position in dealing with Cuba either. We've maintained an embargo for over 40 years, hoping it would cause Castro's government to fold, but clearly that hasn't had the desired effect. It has hurt US businesses which could have otherwise sold to Cuba, and it clearly has hurt Cuban citizens who have borne the brunt of the shortages, the lack of resources, and the separation from families the embargo has caused.

Rather than using trade as a way to influence the actions of the Cuban government, the embargo has served as a rallying cry for Castro against the "Yankee Imperialists". We trade with many countries with repressive regimes (the former Soviet Union, China, Saudi Arabia to name a few) and use those relations to demonstrate what a free and open nation is able to produce. Let's hope we can do the same with Cuba moving forward.

[mirrodie]

For the love of Elian, things have to change! :mrgreen:

[Midnight Mike]

Rather than using trade as a way to influence the actions of the Cuban government, the embargo has served as a rallying cry for Castro against the "Yankee Imperialists". We trade with many countries with repressive regimes (the former Soviet Union, China, Saudi Arabia to name a few) and use those relations to demonstrate what a free and open nation is able to produce. Let's hope we can do the same with Cuba moving forward.

Communication is a two-way street, both sides have to want it, & Castro does not want it, in fact, he uses the United States as a way to hold onto power.

The United States has been through 9 Presidents & none have been able to work out a way of dealing with Castro.

[SP-LPB]

All it means is that the Democratic party lost its main icon.

[Matt Molnar]

All it means is that the Democratic party lost its main icon.

They'll get over it, they have Hugo Chavez as a solid backup. What Hillary has proposed doing with oil companies is only a couple of steps removed from what Venezuela is doing right now.

[adam613]

Guys, Chavez replaced Castro as the icon years ago. Get with the program!

[moose135]

The United States has been through 9 Presidents & none have been able to work out a way of dealing with Castro.

Have any of them tried? There has always been too much to lose politically with the Cuban-American community to even attempt a dialog with Cuba.

[Midnight Mike]

The United States has been through 9 Presidents & none have been able to work out a way of dealing with Castro.

Have any of them tried? There has always been too much to lose politically with the Cuban-American community to even attempt a dialog with Cuba.

Once again, communication is a two-way street, over the years, the only constant has been Fidel Castro, yet somehow, all of the US Presidents & gawd knows how many changes in Congress & nobody has been able to open the political line of communication.

[Tom_Turner]

[quote=Midnight Mike]

The United States has been through 9 Presidents & none have been able to work out a way of dealing with Castro.

Have any of them tried? There has always been too much to lose politically with the Cuban-American community to even attempt a dialog with Cuba.

Once again, communication is a two-way street, over the years, the only constant has been Fidel Castro, yet somehow, all of the US Presidents & gawd knows how many changes in Congress & nobody has been able to open the political line of communication.[/quote:925a4]

What is to open really? Alot could be done unilaterally. I agree its just the Florida vote that is so important the national parties are afraid of offending it.

Of course, we are forgetting Jimmuh Carter though aren't we? Fidel was able to unload a good number of criminal psychopaths into America at that time wasn't he?