Castro Ceding Power To Brother For Surgery

[fbrdphreak]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/08/01/cuba.castro/index.html

Wonder if he'll survive the surgery at that age...

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Fidel Castro has temporarily handed over power to his brother Raul due to intestinal surgery, Cuban television reported, the first time the communist leader has ceded control of the island nation in 47 years.

Castro's secretary, Carlos Valenciaga, read a letter Monday night that he said was from the president announcing the news. In it, the Cuban leader said that stress had forced him into surgery and that he would be in bed for several weeks after the operation.

Castro, who has led Cuba since the 1959 revolution, turns 80 on August 13.

Raul Castro, 75, is the first vice president of the country and designated successor to his brother. He also assumes control over the armed forces and leadership of the Communist Party, according to the statement.

The news sparked celebration across the Straits of Florida in Miami, home to Cuban-American exiles for more than four decades since Fidel Castro's rise to power. (Watch cheering reaction of anti-Castro Cuban exiles -- 2:46)

"This is a clear reminder that the end of the Castro regime is approaching, and that the only solution is free elections and the rule of law," U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Florida, told The Associated Press on Monday night.

 

[Chrono]

hm... I'm starting to get really irritated by the US politicians always saying stuff like "the only solution is free elections and the rule of law."
Maybe the Cuban residents like Fidel? *sh

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Chrono
hm... I'm starting to get really irritated by the US politicians always saying stuff like "the only solution is free elections and the rule of law."
Maybe the Cuban residents like Fidel? *sh

11 million people, seems like enough that they could stage a revolution if it were all that bad there.

 

[lokiju]

I worked in New Cuba (Miami) for a few years and knew MANY Cubans.

They all seemed to hate Castro but love Cuba, most that I discussed it with claim they'd go back to Cuba if Castro died/was overthrown and they became free.

Just my personal experience though.

 

[mercanucaribe]

The relatively poor conditions in Cuba are due to trade sanctions more than anything else... after all, what is the point of sanctions but to make ordinary people suffer? IMO, the best way to get democracy into Cuba is to have open trade of goods, culture, and information with them, and let the Cubans decide themselves.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Chrono
hm... I'm starting to get really irritated by the US politicians always saying stuff like "the only solution is free elections and the rule of law."
Maybe the Cuban residents like Fidel? *sh

11 million people, seems like enough that they could stage a revolution if it were all that bad there.

Kind of hard to stage a revolution when only the government has the guns. Throw in secret police and political prisoners.

 

[mrkun]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The relatively poor conditions in Cuba are due to trade sanctions more than anything else... after all, what is the point of sanctions but to make ordinary people suffer? IMO, the best way to get democracy into Cuba is to have open trade of goods, culture, and information with them, and let the Cubans decide themselves.

Since that strategy has worked so well with China, right?

 

[imported_LoKe]

Re.... =[

 

[DainBramaged]

Jesus, a simple search of "castro" brought this thread about. Considering it's a day old already, use the goddamn search function.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The relatively poor conditions in Cuba are due to trade sanctions more than anything else... after all, what is the point of sanctions but to make ordinary people suffer? IMO, the best way to get democracy into Cuba is to have open trade of goods, culture, and information with them, and let the Cubans decide themselves.

Get over it, communism doesn't work. If Cuba was capitalist, it would function even with trade barriers.

Open trade with Cuba = Castro and his buddies get rich while the people stay poor.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Chrono
hm... I'm starting to get really irritated by the US politicians always saying stuff like "the only solution is free elections and the rule of law."
Maybe the Cuban residents like Fidel? *sh

Yes, that's why so many risk their lives every single day trying to get off the island and escape to America. :roll:

 

[tboo]

I thought Casto's brother's first name was Dennis and not Raul?

 

[mrkun]

Originally posted by: tboo
I thought Casto's brother's first name was Dennis and not Raul?

Maybe it's a clone?

 

[Dualist]

Originally posted by: tboo
I thought Casto's brother's first name was Dennis and not Raul?

Could it be his nickname? Just a guess.

 

[zylander]

Originally posted by: tboo
I thought Casto's brother's first name was Dennis and not Raul?

no no, Dwayne Castro.

 

[Ulfhednar]

Get well soon, Fidel.

 

[zephyrprime]

Fidel is a dead man. He may survive this surgery fine but he can't escape his old age. Once your internal organs start bleeding spontaneously, you don't have much time left. I predict that he'll be dead within 2 years.

 

[Feldenak]

It'd be nice, when Fidel croaks, if Cuba made a turn towards a democratic government. The business and vacation opportunities would be overwelming. I'd love to catch a direct flight from the US to Cuba and spend some time there.

 

[tboo]

Originally posted by: zylander

Originally posted by: tboo
I thought Casto's brother's first name was Dennis and not Raul?

no no, Dwayne Castro.

Damn, I knew it started with a D.

Classic Seinfeld episode, BTW.

 

[zylander]

hehe, ya good episode. And it was actually both, he said Dennis first, then Dwayne.

 

[tboo]

Originally posted by: zylander
hehe, ya good episode. And it was actually both, he said Dennis first, then Dwayne.

I remember the girl in that episode was smoking hot. She was the one who was dating neal but started to date george. Soemone once told me she is Kirk Cameron's wife.