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Caribbean-Latin America
Fidel Castro calls for change in the United States
2008-02-23
In his first comments since announcing he would step down as CubaÂ’s president after almost 50 years, Fidel Castro lashed out Friday at US presidential hopefulsÂ’ calls for change here, saying the only change needed is in the United States.

In his fifty page column “Reflections of Comrade Fidel” in the Communist Party newspaper Granma, the ailing Castro, 81, zeroed in on the international reaction, particularly by his US “adversary,” to his announcement Tuesday of his official departure from Cuba’s helm. Castro was sidelined 19 months ago after major intestinal surgery, and handed power temporarily to his brother, interim president Raul Castro, 76.

US President George W Bush “said my message was the beginning of the road to freedom in Cuba, in other words, to annexion” by the United States, Castro wrote. The United States occupied Cuba in the early 20th century and refuses to abandon its controversial base at Guantanamo, on Cuba’s southeastern tip. That gives Havana plenty of political currency with which to warn almost daily that a US occupation or annexation effort could come at any time.
Posted by:Fred

#13  tit for tat, RJ - force Raul to incrementally increase freedoms. Once they start, it would be difficult to contain
Posted by: Frank G   2008-02-23 22:35  

#12  Hmmm...just like the Chinese have lost control?
Posted by: Procopius2k   2008-02-23 22:04  

#11  The US should remove sanctions and travel restrictions. The free flow of cash and info would cause Cuba's government to lose control and force Raul to shut the door himself denying the dictatorship even the figleaf of an excuse for continued failure.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2008-02-23 21:36  

#10  From Beyond the Grave!
Posted by: Gruper Panda7014   2008-02-23 16:11  

#9  Saw Fidel on TV today, no idea if it's an old tape or not, but he's filled out a bit, cheeks not hollow, somewhat less of a "Walking Dead" look.
Still can't wait until the Cubans in Miami get to celebrate "El Morte".
That ought to put Mardi Gras to shame.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2008-02-23 12:50  

#8  Awright! Obama corners Fidel's endorsement!
Posted by: Bobby   2008-02-23 10:58  

#7  Well, since you took 'office' in the 60s, we've had a lot of change. In Cuba, not so much, but that is a fundamental aspect of stasis socialism. What we call 'poor' here was actually 'middle class' in the 60s. Human progress and achievement occur in chaos, the key is to be able to ride that beast without straggling it. Your model not only throttles it, it literally chokes it to death. The Chinese are figuring that it today. You and Kimmie, never.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2008-02-23 09:24  

#6  Careful what you wish for Fidel. We've changed a lot in the last 50 years. Cuba's still the same rathole it was within 1 year of your takeover. Cuba's the place that will change, just like Spain changed after Franco died. (Is he still dead? How long will they ask if Fidel is still dead?) You won't like the changes coming, but the Cuban people will. And you'll still be dead. You wasted your life and brought much human misery to the planet.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2008-02-23 08:05  

#5  "Hey, hermano, can you spare some change?"
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy   2008-02-23 07:26  

#4  Au contraire, Fidel. Mexico will have to annex Cuba---- to repopulate itself after the next US presidential term.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy   2008-02-23 05:50  

#3  Time to clean out his colostomy bag, there seems to be some backing up into his brain.
Posted by: Vanc   2008-02-23 04:02  

#2  ALso on CNN, FIDEL > still claims that the USA desires to formally ANNEX CUBA. BLITZER, etc say Castro's post-retirement rants show he does not intend to retire quietly.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2008-02-23 00:43  

#1  CNN > WOLF BLITZER + FRANK SESNO > despite anti-US rhetoric to the contrary, CUBA remains heavily dependent on the USA for economic trade, and is anticipated to stay same no matter whom succeeds Fidel.

OTOH, A POTUS OBAMA > has claimed will meet wid FIDEL [or successor] WITHOUT ANY PRECONDITIONS, BUT WILL NOT FORMALLY NORMALIZE RELATIONS WID CUBA WIDOUT OVERT EVIDENCE OF PRO-DEMOCRATIC POPULAR REFORMS - DITTO FOR MOUD.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2008-02-23 00:40  

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