Notes From A Small Island

As you probably know, two days ago Fidel Castro announced – via the above letter in the state newspaper, the Granma – that he would neither seek nor would he accept the position of President of Cuba; in effect, he resigned. Fidel has been President since 1976, and before that he served as Prime Minister since 1959, so this will be the first time he hasn’t been directly involved with the government in nearly fifty years.

Monumental as this was, it was not entirely unexpected. Castro is old and sick, and since he appointed Raul Castro as acting President two years ago, he has been expected to retire. This does, though, underscore the serious condition that he’s in: many have said that he would not willingly give up power unless he was at death’s door. (There are even muttered rumors that a Cardinal has come in from Rome in case he dies, but these are as yet unsubstantiated.)

The news did not make much of an impact on day-to-day life here. There were no marches, no public celebrations or gatherings; people went about the day like it was any other. But there were a few more radios on, a few more newspapers sold, a few more little groups of people stopping in the streets. The retirement was not discussed in forums; it was discussed on porches, over coffees, between friends and neighbors. It was most certainly not discussed with the nosy American student with the questionable Spanish, so I’ve had a bit of a tough time telling how people are really feeling about this, but the consensus seems to be that the resignation, in and of itself, doesn’t change much.

Things will get really interesting on Sunday, when the Cuban Parliament meets to elect a new President. It is widely expected to be Raul but, at 76, he’s also no spring chicken, so some are saying it will be someone younger. I’m going to be in Cienfuegos this weekend, and with CNN and the internet you all will probably know the outcome of the election before I do, but as soon as I know more I’ll let everyone know.