Castro Resigns
by Damozel | Castro has resigned. Since he's been in power for my entire life, and has been identified for all that time with Cuba, this does astonish me. It shouldn't because he is of course very old. Intellectually, of course, I knew this. Viscerally, not so much: he's been in charge ever since I can remember and has outlasted so many of those who opposed him. From my point of view, it's like the resignation of a force of nature. I had got used to assuming he'd last out my lifetime.
Apparently he was motivated by the notion that he needs to begin preparing his country for his absence. He has said that he intends to fight on "as a soldier of ideas."(CNN)
The resignation ends nearly a half-century of iron-fisted rule that inspired revolutionaries but frustrated 10 U.S. presidents. Castro revealed his plans without notice by publishing a letter in the middle of the night in state-run newspaper Granma.
"I will not aspire to, nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," Castro wrote. "I wish only to fight as a soldier of ideas. ... Perhaps my voice will be heard." (CNN)
Perhaps.W,. speaking from Rwanda, has given us his thoughts:
"The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy and eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections....The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty."(CNN) [see him say it here]
Unlike W., I really need to process this news before sounding off. In the
meantime, the following honored and distinguished bloggers have already
weighed in:
Scared Monkeys; Crooks and Liars, PoliBlog (TM); Booman Tribune; Shakespeare's Sister;
Pam's House Blend; The Moderate Voice; Captain's Quarters;
Firedoglake; Outside The Beltway; Matt Yglesias; The Newshoggers
Read more here:
- Reuters: Fidel Castro retires (Anthony Boadle)
- New York Times: Fidel Castro Resigns as Cuba's President (James C. McKinley)
- Washington Post: Fidel Castro Stepping Down as Cuba's President (Manuel Roig-Franzia)
And Memeorandum has much, much more
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