Fidel Castro announced his resignation as president of Cuba

[XD45]

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Fidel Castro announced his resignation as president of Cuba and commander-in-chief of Cuba's military on Tuesday, according to a letter published in the state-run newspaper, Granma.


Castro, 81, temporarily handed power to his younger brother Raul Castro in July 2006 after undergoing intestinal surgery. He hasn't been seen in public since his surgery, but he has appeared in numerous videos and photos in state media.

The announcement of Castro's resignation appeared just before 3 a.m. on the Web site of the state-run newspaper.

The news is likely to send shock waves across the island and through the tens of thousands of Cuban exiles who have sought refugee in the United States.

In December 2007, a Cuban television news anchor read a letter reportedly written by Fidel Castro promising he would not "cling to office" or be an impediment to rising young leaders.

Castro took power in Cuba in 1959 and has ruled the island nation ever since, governing the first communist nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Don't Miss

Fidel Castro captured the world's attention and imagination at 32 when the bearded revolutionary led a band of guerillas that overthrew a corrupt dictatorship -- and then became an irritating thorn in Washington's paw by embracing communism and cozying up to the Soviet Union.

For the next 47 years, Castro reigned in Havana with an iron hand, outlasting nine American presidents and defying a punishing U.S. economic embargo designed to dislodge him. Video Watch what Castro's resignation means for Cuba »
advertisement

Raul Castro is generally seen as more pragmatic and less inclined to deliver the kind of long-winded speeches for which his brother is famous.

Ordinary Cubans have wondered whether a permanent change in power in Cuba will lead to lower food prices, higher salaries and more freedom to travel. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend



http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americ...tro/index.html

[4XLT]

so does this mean we will be able to reclaim Florida now ???

[DaveM55]

This could get scary real quick if Russia or Chavez try to take control.

[normanvin]

Hasn't the brother been running the show for a while now. Well since Fidel was sick anyway.

[phillyd2]

This could get scary real quick if Russia or Chavez try to take control.

Yeah, I hear both of them have very good swimmers.......

[ShakeyDad]

Hasn't the brother been running the show for a while now. Well since Fidel was sick anyway.

Yes, his brother, Raoul.....he's as much of a nut-job as his brother. Besides, Fidel isn't completely out of the picture, he's been elected to the coucil of something or other, and he'll still have a hand in what goes on down there. So, that being said, I really don't think we have to worry about Putin or chavez doing a damn thing.(let's hope)

[normanvin]

That probably means things will stay the same/

[ShakeyDad]

That probably means things will stay the same/

Probably. But at least we don't have to worry about anybody else. We know what to expect from the Castro boys. Raoul is 76 yrs. old so he maybe won't be around too long either. And the next in line after him is another loyal castro friend. So, it looks like we're pretty safe from the russians for a while.

[Guy Fawkes]

I would imagine after Castrol finally meets the great cigar maker in the sky or basement, we will loosen up the 40+ year embargo. Lots of money from Miami will flow freely into that little country and it will become a vacation destination for all.

[larrymeyer]

I would imagine after Castrol finally meets the great cigar maker in the sky or basement, we will loosen up the 40+ year embargo. Lots of money from Miami will flow freely into that little country and it will become a vacation destination for all.

Not according to Bush as long as he turns over the reins to his brother, Raoul.....he's as much of a nut-job as his brother.