Castro Seen Returning to Power, But Cuba's Style Changing
By Brian Wagner
Miami
19 March 2007
Foreign and domestic officials close to Cuba's ailing president, Fidel
Castro, say he is recovering from his intestinal operation last year,
and may resume some of his official duties in Cuba's government soon.
But, as VOA's Miami correspondent Brian Wagner reports, experts say the
new leadership is already putting its stamp on the government in Havana.
Fidel Castro's health has been a key topic of conversation about the
island since the 80-year-old leader underwent surgery in July.
Officially, Cuba's government says his physical condition is a state
secret. But top officials and foreign leaders close to Mr. Castro say he
is gaining strength as he continues to recover from the intestinal
operation.
In a recent speech, Bolivian President Evo Morales said he expects Mr.
Castro to return to power in the Communist government by late April. And
Cuba's National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon says he is certain
Mr. Castro will be well enough to assume his responsibilities.
If Mr. Castro does return to power, he can expect to face continued
questions about his health, says Andy Gomez, assistant provost at the
University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies.
"The question we need to be asking ourselves is: is he going to be
strong enough and mentally capable enough to demand to run Cuba, as he's
done for 50 years," said Andy Gomez.
Gomez says that, if he returned, Mr. Castro would have to retake control
from his brother, Raul, who has been running the nation since Fidel's
operation.
Many observers say that since the handover of power last July, changes
have already begun to take place on the island. One of the most notable
changes is in the relatively low-key leadership style of Raul Castro,
says Brian Latell, a former U.S. intelligence analyst.
"The era of charismatic, caudillo [dictator] leadership in Cuba, I
think, is over," said Brian Latell. "I don't think he [Fidel] is going
to come back, and I don't think his successors are going to pursue the
same kinds of policies."
Mr. Castro is famous for delivering lengthy harangues intended to call
international attention to the U.S. embargo and other restrictions
against the island. Latell says the current Cuban leadership is focusing
on domestic issues, such as stabilizing the economy and youth employment.
As Cuba's government begins to transform, Andy Gomez says U.S. policy
towards the island should change as well.
"We need to start thinking about the future, and about what we as a
country in the international community can do, at a time that is crucial
given what is happening in Latin America, to accelerate change in Cuba,"
he said.
Gomez says he feels the United States should begin revising the strict
policies that prohibit most trade and activity with Cuba.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-19-voa63.cfm
By Brian Wagner
Miami
19 March 2007
Foreign and domestic officials close to Cuba's ailing president, Fidel
Castro, say he is recovering from his intestinal operation last year,
and may resume some of his official duties in Cuba's government soon.
But, as VOA's Miami correspondent Brian Wagner reports, experts say the
new leadership is already putting its stamp on the government in Havana.
Fidel Castro's health has been a key topic of conversation about the
island since the 80-year-old leader underwent surgery in July.
Officially, Cuba's government says his physical condition is a state
secret. But top officials and foreign leaders close to Mr. Castro say he
is gaining strength as he continues to recover from the intestinal
operation.
In a recent speech, Bolivian President Evo Morales said he expects Mr.
Castro to return to power in the Communist government by late April. And
Cuba's National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon says he is certain
Mr. Castro will be well enough to assume his responsibilities.
If Mr. Castro does return to power, he can expect to face continued
questions about his health, says Andy Gomez, assistant provost at the
University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies.
"The question we need to be asking ourselves is: is he going to be
strong enough and mentally capable enough to demand to run Cuba, as he's
done for 50 years," said Andy Gomez.
Gomez says that, if he returned, Mr. Castro would have to retake control
from his brother, Raul, who has been running the nation since Fidel's
operation.
Many observers say that since the handover of power last July, changes
have already begun to take place on the island. One of the most notable
changes is in the relatively low-key leadership style of Raul Castro,
says Brian Latell, a former U.S. intelligence analyst.
"The era of charismatic, caudillo [dictator] leadership in Cuba, I
think, is over," said Brian Latell. "I don't think he [Fidel] is going
to come back, and I don't think his successors are going to pursue the
same kinds of policies."
Mr. Castro is famous for delivering lengthy harangues intended to call
international attention to the U.S. embargo and other restrictions
against the island. Latell says the current Cuban leadership is focusing
on domestic issues, such as stabilizing the economy and youth employment.
As Cuba's government begins to transform, Andy Gomez says U.S. policy
towards the island should change as well.
"We need to start thinking about the future, and about what we as a
country in the international community can do, at a time that is crucial
given what is happening in Latin America, to accelerate change in Cuba,"
he said.
Gomez says he feels the United States should begin revising the strict
policies that prohibit most trade and activity with Cuba.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-03-19-voa63.cfm
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