|
After 49 years as head of state of Cuba, a period which saw nine US presidents occupy the White House, Fidel Castro has resigned.
It was not unexpected, he had failed to appear in public for almost 19 months after being stricken by an illness. His retirement brings down the curtain on a political career that spanned the Cold War, CIA assassination attempts and the demise of Soviet communism. The epitome of revolution, bearded, delivering long impassioned speeches in green military fatigues, Castro is admired in the developing world for standing up to the US but considered by his opponents as an authoritarian ruler who threw his critics into jail.
After such a long period in power, questions will be asked as to whether Cuba's revolution will outlast Castro, and if not, what exactly will replace it? Castro's brother Raul is expected to be nominated by the national assembly as president. However, it has always been felt that his role would be temporary and that a younger person would take over in the long term. Castro was a leader who dominated every aspect of life on the island and his decision to step down will have profound consequences not just for Cuba but for the hemisphere as well.
|
