Castro hands power over to brother

Apparantly Castro is undergoing intestinal surgery, and in the mean time has left his brother, Raul, in charge. This has some interesting implications...

If Castro dies, Raul would take over, which is something the American government would not want. Could we end up in a ground war in Cuba too? If Castro dies, did Raul do it, encourage it, or allow it to happen?

CNN

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Cuban President Fidel Castro was undergoing intestinal surgery and provisionally handed over power in the Communist island nation to his brother Raul, according to a statement read on Cuban television Monday night.

This is breaking as of about 10 minutes ago.

Developments:

From CNN

Castro's surgery came just weeks after a U.S. government report called for the United States to have assistance in Cuba within weeks of Castro's death to support a transitional government and help move the country toward democracy.

Fox News

HAVANA — Fidel Castro announced Monday night in a letter read by his secretary live on state television that due to illness he was temporarily relinquishing the presidency to his brother and successor Raul, the defense minister.

In the letter read by his secretary Carlos Valenciaga, Castro said he had suffered gastrointestinal bleeding, apparently due to stress from recent public appearances in Argentina and Cuba, and had to undergo an operation.

[edit on 7/31/2006 by cmdrkeenkid]

Originally posted by cmdrkeenkid
If Castro dies, did Raul do it, encourage it, or allow it to happen?

Well, Fidel is an old man, so if he does die I doubt his brother had anything to do with it. Thanks for the info. It'll be interesting to find out what happens.

- McGrude

Seems to also indicate that Castro has tapped his brother to be the leader once he dies a natural death too, no?

I mean, this is not a democracy, the party will decide who is the next leader, and Castro seems to have all the power.

We can only hope that if he dies, the gov't falls apart and becomes democratic.

While he is old, he has lived through much worse things in his 80 years... Honestly, I don't think it would be fit for the bugger to be shuffled loose the mortal coil in such a way!

The only thing that I'm wondering about, is why did they even bother to announce it? Normally, Cuba is pretty tight lipped about such things. I think they're softening the blow for a coming regime change.

Maybe he is already dead. Remember when the Russians used to play with the public and say the dictator was still alive when he had been dead for days and the power struggle going on in the background?

Poor Raul has been standing in line for so long he probably feels like Prince Charles.

I'm not sure how the death of Castro will play out but i'd love it if our two nations were on speaking and traveling terms again. Cuba is an ungodly beautiful island and i'd love to visit it someday.

Just my immediate thoughts on it,

wupy

Castro already named his brother as his successor a long time ago so that leaves out his brother doing him in.

Also his brother is no spring chicken at 75 for all anyone knows both could die of natural causes at anytime given the average age of death for males in our times.

Raul has also been Cubas second fiddle for many many years and appears to have the same ideas as his brother, but who really knows other then Raul himself. Hell if Castro crooks he might ask the US to talk turkey and become a friend rather then a foe. Anything is possible.

My husband and I were just talking about him earlier tonight.
His brother Raul went to the University of Tampa and we live in Florida.
I would love to go to Cuba someday.
I've also heard about how beautiful it is.

Originally posted by shots
Castro already named his brother as his successor a long time ago so that leaves out his brother doing him in.

Why does that leave out that possibility? He very well could be tired of being runner up and decide to off his older brother. It's happened before, it'll happen again - even with named successors.

I hope US will help Cuba take a chance against the Castro dynasty and use this opportunity that the patriarch is down so the people can raise against them.

If the brother hold takes roots it will be just more of the same.

Originally posted by cmdrkeenkid
He very well could be tired of being runner up and decide to off his older brother. It's happened before, it'll happen again - even with named successors.

I just gave my gut answer, sure it is possible but I do not think that is the case, how could his brother ruin Castro's intestin's? That alone seems impossible if what the story states is true.

I would be more worried about a possible government take over by unknowns then his brother.

One thing is for sure Santa Domingo will not be happy if Cuba goes democratic they will loose all the cigar trade they have making fakes and they will not like that very much since it is a major source of income for many there.

Yes, Cuba and it's people are quite beautiful and the cultural aspects are awesome and unique. Sooner or later, the regime will change... and if you've ever been there you'll know that the people by and large love socialism but want access to those comforts and pastimes we in the "West" take for granted.

Right now they are in what's loosely called "An Accidental Revolution" - apolitical, involving the sustainable development of agriculture and small businesses of all varieties.

Uh, it's on CBC now....

Victor K.

[edit on 31-7-2006 by V Kaminski]

Originally posted by shots
I just gave my gut answer, sure it is possible but I do not think that is the case, how could his brother ruin Castro's intestin's? That alone seems impossible if what the story states is true.

Ah, I think I may have been misunderstood!

I was only implying that Raul could have the doctor performing the surgery allow some "complications" to occur or something.

[edit on 7/31/2006 by cmdrkeenkid]

I just had another thought. I wonder what will happen to the vintage car industry in the US if Cuba turned into a free society?

Think about it; Cuba has tons of vintage cars most with bodies in cherry condition although the engines and other parts might not be original the bodies for the most part are in excellent condition

There is also another plus if they would turn into a free society many Cuban Americans might want to return once it is free since they claim to love it so much.

Think about the resorts and hotels that could be built turning it into a better place then it is now.

Just trying to look at the good side of what might turn into reality here is all

I just hope USA won't try to take it military and proclaimed it as an american states as some congressman want it to happen. It's so a beautiful country, it would be very sad if this american regime would bomb this and put a puppet government to enslave cubans as they did with some others countries.

Please they keep out of this.

Originally posted by djohnsto77
We can only hope that if he dies, the gov't falls apart and becomes democratic.

Yea, and if doesnt we'll just invade it at some point in the next few years
and "install" it.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
I just hope USA won't try to take it military and proclaimed it as an american states as some congressman want it to happen.

You never know, really. I doubt that much would be done with the military, in reality. Though I could see an American-lead coup happening.

CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. should have assistance in Cuba within weeks of President Fidel Castro's death to support a transitional government and help move the country toward democracy, a government report recommends.

The report was prepared by the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, an interagency group co-chaired by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, a Cuban-American.

President Bush created the commission in 2003 to "help hasten and ease Cuba's democratic transition," according to its Web site.

Originally posted by cmdrkeenkid

You never know, really. I doubt that much would be done with the military, in reality. Though I could see an American-lead coup happening.

I knew that . . . let's hope that the wanna be in power and chosen by the US do not happen to turn into another dictator.

US has not been very good at choosing leaders for other countries here in our backyard and abroad.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
I just hope USA won't try to take it military and proclaimed it as an american states as some congressman want it to happen. It's so a beautiful country, it would be very sad if this american regime would bomb this and put a puppet government to enslave cubans as they did with some others countries.

Please they keep out of this.

Why do you think this would happen, there are enough people in Cuba who want this change as it is. There probably wont be a need for US assistance unless it is requested by a transitional government. I'm lost with your last statement man.