Castro Resigns

[raycarey]

el comandante en jefe has decided to resign.

this is part of the statement released by his office...

"To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honor in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept -- I repeat not aspire to or accept -- the positions of President of Council of State and Commander in Chief,"

what's next for cuba?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/wo...hp&oref=slogin

[Texpat]

Why did he run if only to decline the post afterall and hand it to his 76-year-old brother who's been managing almost two years?

"Raul Castro, Cuba's long-standing defense minister, has run the country since July 31, 2006 as acting president. He has raised expectations of economic reforms to improve the daily lot of Cubans, but has yet to deliver."

[obsidian]

what's next for cuba?

unfortuately, it will become all too like a 51st state, methinks.

[Texpat]

They got any oil?

[Boon Mee]

what's next for cuba?

After the Grim Reaper comes for his sorry ass, the free market gets set up again and 'Merkins can travel there for vacation.

BTW, Cuba is spelled with a capital "C" there teach...

[chitown]

what's next for cuba?

unfortuately, it will become all too like a 51st state, methinks.

Yeah, what a horrible thing.

Then the children would stop being indoctrinated and the citizens would have some freedoms. God awful.......

[raycarey]

the free market gets set up again

this is far too simplistic (shock!).

i do think we'll see some sort of capitalism in cuba, but it will be interesting to see how chavez plays his hand....and don't forget it's full of oil money.

'Merkins can travel there for vacation.

the rest of the world travels there without a moments hesitation, and americans with a bit of wherewithal can too. i flew in from cancun in 2005....one of the best vacations of my life.

[obsidian]

from a travel point of view, cuba is very unique. i will have some regrets seeing the development of mc-cuba.

[Boon Mee]

from a travel point of view, cuba is very unique. i will have some regrets seeing the development of mc-cuba.

Who's to say it'll be a 'Mc-Cuba'?

Perhaps Vegas on a grander scale or Beirut back in the day...?

[sabang]

It will be interesting to see if the US does start softening it's economic embargo post Castro. Doesn't seem much point continuing it.

[barbaro]

from a travel point of view, cuba is very unique. i will have some regrets seeing the development of mc-cuba.

I wish I could have (or will go but it's doubtful) gone to Cuba before the coming changes, just to see the difference in society.

I agree that McCuba is approaching. As other posters have noted, Raul has been increasing his management, but is probably holding back because Fidel is still alive. After Fidel dies, Raul will likely do what's been expected of him. Open more doors, do more deals.

Who could come into power after Raul? I don't know but you have to think about that because of his age.

[chinthee]

Please God, lift the embargo on wonderful Cuban cigars. I would love to see prices fall.

[Boon Mee]

The embargo will remain according to latest news...

[stroller]

Then the children would stop being indoctrinated and the citizens would have some freedoms. God awful.......

Nah, becoming the 51st, the children will be indoctrinated that their country is the biggest and bestest in the world, and nobody but them enjoys the "freedom" to choose between dining at McD's or KFC.

[Boon Mee]

Then the children would stop being indoctrinated and the citizens would have some freedoms. God awful.......

Nah, becoming the 51st, the children will be indoctrinated that their country is the biggest and bestest in the world, and nobody but them enjoys the "freedom" to choose between dining at McD's or KFC.

Man...don't tell us, Stroller, you are taking a page out of EN's 'merkin-bashing book too now?

This theme is real tired...you know what I mean?

[panama hat]

what's next for cuba?

the free market gets set up again

Perhaps a bit of history would help.

[Little Chuchok]

Nice chicks in Cuba?

[Texpat]

Times Online
Feb 19, 2008

They were expelled from their first school together. They fought in Cuba’s Sierra Maestra together. And, following their victory over the forces of Fulgencio Batista, they have ruled Cuba together for nearly 50 years.

But although Fidel became a worldwide icon, instantly recognisable by his first name alone, his younger brother, Raúl, has remained a virtual unknown.

Even in Cuba, people know little about the mysterious and deeply private man who has effectively run the country since Fidel Castro underwent emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006.

Now that Fidel has officially stepped down as head of state, the question is being asked: Who is Raúl Castro and how will he rule the country?

Despite their long and close collaboration, the Castro brothers were in many ways polar opposites.

Fidel was an unusually charismatic leader with a strong hold over the affections of many Cubans, despite the many hardships of life under his rule. He has revelled in the limelight, speaking at public events for up to seven hours at a time and, in the 1960s, mastering the global medium of television before virtually anyone else.

Raúl, by contrast, has kept a low profile, seemingly content to live in his brother’s shadow. Still, those who have watched him say he should not be underestimated.

Though the 76-year-old lacks his brother’s charisma, he is a tough and highly-effective operator, able to be pragmatic and, when necessary, ruthless. He controls the three most powerful institutions in Cuba – the military, the security services and Communist Party – and has no real challenger in sight.

“Fidel has been the visionary, but hopelessly disorganised," said Brian Latell, a retired CIA officer and author of 'After Fidel', a biography of the Castro brothers. “Raúl has provided the organisational glue. That's why he has been the one truly indispensable man in the revolution, other than Fidel himself.”

Particularly in the early years, Raúl acted as his brother’s hard-line enforcer, eliminating opponents and earning himself the nickname “The Prussian” for his cold, efficient style.

Photographs from the late-1950s show him as a slight young man, directing summary executions of scores of Batista’s fighters. Throughout the years, he has sent even close friends to the firing squad, men like General Arnaldo Ochoa, a highly-decorated veteran of Cuba’s campaigns in Africa.

A far more pragmatic side of Raúl Castro has been on display since the collapse of the Soviet Union. As head of the armed forces, one of the few well-functioning institutions in Cuba, he oversaw the opening of the economy to foreign tourism, to US dollars and to limited private enterprise.

Whole story here:
Who is Raul Castro, Cuba's new leader? - Times Online

[raycarey]

so texpat, do YOU have something to add regarding raul castro?

but thanks for posting an article though....how would we get the news with you?

[Texpat]

Seems to most people, he's somewhat of an enigma. Always in the shadow until now. I hope he opens the country up -- for the world as much as for Cubans.

The tone of this thread seemed to beg the question, "what next?" I thought it appropriate to post about the new leader. You've been there, you're the expert. What do you think?

Or are you merely waiting for someone to post their opinion so you can set the record straight? Why are you such a negative, pessimistic, sour poster?

[raycarey]

Seems to most people, he's somewhat of an enigma. Always in the shadow until now. I hope he opens the country up -- for the world as much as for Cubans.

content aside, the above trophy is for understanding that this is a discussion forum and not solely a place to cut and paste articles devoid of personal input. keep up the good work.

You've been there, you're the expert. What do you think?

yes, as i posted above, i have been there...but for a little over a week...and in my book that certainly doesn't make me an expert. while you may consider this type of experience sufficient to call yourself an expert, i do not.

i think raul will do what's best for the people of cuba...which is keep out the hypercapitalists for as long as he can.

Why are you such a negative, pessimistic, sour poster?

shouldn't you posting on another thread about how name calling is childish?

[Driventowin]

They got any oil?

Yes.... In some of the best kept older, American made, classic cars in the world..(before restoration that is)

And they have tourism, they could be such a huge tourist location like they were begining to be prior to the revolution it could really sustain that entire country..

Cigars, tobacco look at what tobacco is these days compared to when they cut themselves off from the rest of the world.. Sugar, even medical advances, yep...They could do really well for themselves if his brother drops the pretense and antagonism of the last 40 some years..

[Driventowin]

from a travel point of view, cuba is very unique. i will have some regrets seeing the development of mc-cuba.

Who's to say it'll be a 'Mc-Cuba'?

Perhaps Vegas on a grander scale or Beirut back in the day...?

Hopefully more like the Riviera..

[Driventowin]

What do you think?

Or are you merely waiting for someone to post their opinion so you can set the record straight? Why are you such a negative, pessimistic, sour poster?

Because he's Strollers comrade in arms..

[Driventowin]

content aside, the above trophy is for understanding that this is a discussion forum and not solely a place to cut and paste articles devoid of personal input. keep up the good work.

I'm certain that your patronizing approval of his posting will be the absolute highlight of his day..