The Who2 Blog
Fidel Castro Resigns
"I will not aspire to nor accept -- I repeat -- I will not aspire to nor accept the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief."
Those are words of Fidel Castro in a letter released Tuesday, according to The Washington Post.
Translation: Castro is stepping down for good after nearly 50 years in power.
The official Agencia Cubana de Noticias has the full text of Castro's letter. (Or try the Google translation to English.)
Castro has been Cuba's Comandante en Jefe since 1959. As we once pointed out in Fidel vs. Flintstone, his rule has spanned 10 American presidents and nine British prime ministers (Gordon Brown being the latest) and predated Fred Flintstone and The Beatles, among others. (Queen Elizabeth II still has him by six years, though.)
This clears the way for full control by Castro's brother and longtime lieutenant, Raul Castro. Of course, Raul himself is not young; he's 76, Fidel is 81.
2 comments
HMMMMMMMMMMMMM? Do you think things will EVER change in Cuba? They have ruled with such an iron hand for so long that I can't help wondering if the citizens of Cuba would know what to do with all of that freedom, should they ever be TRULY liberated.It will be interesting to see who finally comes to power this time...will it be Raul or .........? It would be nice to be able to trade with them again. I know a lot of people who would love to import those nice Cuban cigars
I'm glad there is a peaceful and gentle transition in Cuba. I hope the economy picks up again more; so that they will be able to provide more than just the basics like free health care again, Maybe free Mobile telephones...