Castro.... Dead or Alive

[summergold]

I just happened to see this on Yahoo News. Apparently, Fidel Castro has temporarily handed over power of the Communist party to his brother Raul. It seems as though he had to undergo abdominal surgery to repair acute pain and intestinal bleeding. Speaking from a medical standpoint, this is not an easy operation for someone who is younger and in better health, let alone a man approaching his 80th birthday. Also in the nearly 60 years that he has been in power he has had absolute power over Cuba. His doctors say he is recovering, but part of me wonders if he actually were to die, if they would attempt to perpetuate the lie that he was still alive to prevent US involvement or an uprising of sorts. Any thoughts on what the US might do if he dies or if he actually is alive?


Yahoo link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060801/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cuba_castro_38;_ylt=AoZdL0ty5geBsd.j5JS6lhxhxXsA;_ ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl)

[CTGirl]

Do you think it'll make that much of a difference if his brother takes over? I would think they'd have very similar strategies, although I know nothing about him.

[WorkInProgress]

Apparently, his brother has been the constitutional successor for a little while now. And I think they won't cover it up when he eventually dies. He's 80 years old and nobody believes he'll live forever. His brother is 75...that makes me wonder who's next in line after him.

[Xander]

It seems that letter was written post-surgery, meaning he's either in reeeeally bad shape, or he's dead. There wont be a coverup, but they need enough time for citizens to adjust to the new leader before announcing the death.

Depending on how much his brother is respected/feared amongst the people in power, a coup may ensue. If so, we might be legally smoking cigars in Havana in 10 years, as I have serious reservations on whether the communist party can survive a coup.

Interesting times we live in... something always happening.

[PenforPrez]

Any thoughts on what the US might do if he dies or if he actually is alive? ]

There just recently was a U.S. government report (think it was the State Department) on recommendations on how to deal with Castro's death. Basically, they said we should have diplomatic teams on the ground within hours after his death is confirmed, and do all we can to promote "democracy" (or Bush's joke thereof).

In other words, fuck with Cuba's affairs as we have done for the last 180 years. :googly:

Paul

[shimma]

Satan is calling his child back home!

You know what they say, better dead than Red!!!

[SunDevil]

Russia, China & North Korea were able to have another leader follow after the first one. Cuba wouldn't be any different. But that is if the USA doesn't get involved. And the only thing that would stop us is if China threatened to attack Taiwan if we attacked Cuba.

There would be enough support here to liberate the Cuban people, and there would be a large number of Cubans living here that would go back to help bring them into the 21st century.

[need2startover]

Someone was telling me this and I dont know if its true or plausible but supposively castros brother is a little more radical than he is so they think that might make it easier and more likely that he'll be over thrown... I also heard alot of Cubans actually like castro? is that true?

[yankeeyosh]

In the grand scheme of things, if Castro is gone, it will be more symbolic than anything else. If this was 1966 instead of 2006, this would be a lot more meaningful...with the Soviet Empire in full swing and the Cuban Missile Crisis a recent threat. I seriously doubt there will be much change in the overall day-to-day life in Cuba; Castro's henchmen will just continue their old boss's dirty work, and the citizens of the impoverished island nation will unfortunately continue to struggle.