Fidel Castro Steps Down as Cuba's Leader

A year and a half after temporarily handing power over to his brother Raul, Fidel Castro has announced his intention to officially step down after 49 years or rule after his communist revolution swept through Cuba. He cited his health as the primary reason for stepping down. Cuba's National Assembly is on February 24, and most likely Castro's wishes will be met and Raul will become President and Commander-in-Chief.

Cuba was a under the hand of U.S. business interests until Castro seized power from the regime of Fulgencio Batista, dictator of Cuba until 1958, and eventually instituting a communist government with close ties with the Soviet Union. Over the years, Cuba was often the target of U.S. Cold War rhetoric. Its height in international relations came in 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis when the Soviets attempted to place nuclear weapons in Cuba, minutes away from Washington, D.C.

In opposition to the communist government, the United States has accepted all refugees who have made it to U.S. soil, a 90 mile journey. Additionally, an embargo, or ban on all trade, has been levied since 1962. Cuba enjoyed the favor of Soviet governments and had many "easy money" markets and special subsidies from Moscow, but beginning in the 1980s and accelerated by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba has been suffering economically, losing nearly 90% of its markets--Communist Eastern Europe. Many have called for an end to the embargo ranging from Steven Spielberg to the late Pope John Paul II, saying it would bring an end to Castro's rule.

Castro's retirement was greeted with joy by Cubans living in Florida--many descended from refugees--as well as hope that a freer, more democratic Cuba might follow. There have been voices in the Cuban government calling for change since the downturn of the Soviet Union, resulting in a Cuban downturn.

My Take
I honestly don't believe there will be that much change in Cuba--at least while Fidel is alive. Raul fought side by side with Fidel in the 1950s and believes in what his brother believes in. He will continue to pursue a repressive policy to maintain, and, in response to the limiting of the Cuban peoples' freedom, the government will not raise the embargo anytime soon. While Fidel is still alive, he can use some backroom power to make sure his policy, and Raul's, stay in effect. Once Fidel is dead and the depression does not abate, then there is a chance that turmoil might come to Cuba. Until then, expect business to go on as "normal" as you can call it on Cuba.