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Fidel's Adios

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from: Bonnie Goldstein

Posted Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at 3:11 PM ET

On Feb. 19, Comandante Fidel Castro, who ruled the Communist Republic of Cuba for nearly 50 years, announced in a letter to Cuban citizens ("Queridos Compatriotas") his decision to resign. The rambling missive (see English translation below and original Spanish text on Page 2) was published in the official state newspaper, Granma. "I will neither aspire to nor accept the positions of President of the State Council and Commander in Chief," wrote the 81-year-old dictator, referring to parliamentary elections later this month.

Castro, who has been in ill health for some time, came to power in 1959 after leading a guerilla revolution with Che Guevara against the authoritarian regime of Fulgencio Batista. After Castro nationalized all Cuban businesses in 1960, the United States broke off diplomatic relations and imposed a trade embargo. The embargo proved ineffective, yet remains in place 48 years later. In 1961 a CIA-sponsored invasion force of roughly 1200 Cuban exiles met humiliating defeat at the Bay of Pigs.

In his letter of resignation, el Presidente refers indirectly to an "adversary, which had done everything possible to get rid of me." In the end, Castro outlasted nine U.S. presidents; had he hung on for 11 months more, he'd have outlasted a tenth. But he also outlasted his chief ally, the Soviet Union, which formerly subsidized Cuba to the tune of $5 billion per year. Castro is likely to be succeeded by his younger brother Raul.

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hot document
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12
from: Bonnie Goldstein

Posted Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at 3:11 PM ET
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Bonnie Goldstein is a former special investigator to the U.S. Senate and investigative producer for ABC News.
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Remarks from the Fray:

It's funny, I think, the variety of responses to Fidel Castros resignation. Cuban Americans are muted and wish that it was an obituary and not just a letter of resignation.

My dad is from Jamaica and Fidel is a hero there. The leader of a small country that has thumbed his nose at America for near 50 years. The country has survived and flourished whether you agree with his politics or not. His story is romantic.

Some people can't wait to dance on Fidel's grave.

Some people will miss him dearly.

I'm sure I may get some heat for this. It's just an observation.

Also, out of curiosity, once Fidel is gone and if embargos are dropped , would Cuban Americans go back to Cuba?

If they do, will the people who were left behind in Cuba welcome them? Or would Cuban-Americans be shut out of possible economic opportunites in Cuba? Would Cuban Americans go back and claim family wealth re-distributed through Fidel's programs? Would Cubans who stayed block them or think of them as no longer Cuban?

--Gamer-Chick

(To reply, click here.)

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