¿Dónde está Fidel Castro?
Humberto Fontova writes today at Frontpage:
Only one thing was missing when Fidel Castro’s 81st birthday passed on August 13: Fidel Castro.
There was no appearance by the dictator, no snapshot or salutation from him in the official press, and little fanfare from the regime. A small fireworks show on Havana’s waterfront, El Malecon, was the highlight. “The Comandante will never appear again in public,” said a Cuban student to Yolanda Martinez, Cuban correspondent for Mexico’s newspaper, Reforma. “He has been an imposing figure, but his role at Cuba’s head is over.”
The regime’s succession plans seem to be operating smoothly. This student’s attitude is undoubtedly the one encouraged by the regime: calm, complacent, even jaded. Fidel Castro’s successors want no shocks, no expectations of genuine change, nothing to provoke any popular unrest, much less ignite an explosion. In an interview last week, Fidel Castro’s own niece, Mariela, was dutifully doing her part in breaking the news gently. “The concern that we all had about losing our leader is now closer to us,” she told Spanish news Agency EFE. “Fidel Castro retains great influence in Cuba through his moral authority, but the country is moving on with or without Fidel.”
Cuban exiles watch, wait, and pray for a change of leadership back home, reports VOA.
And Ricardo Chavira reports:
Many are convinced that Fidel will not resume his old duties and will die before too long. That belief is fueling widespread sentiment in favor of radical economic change. Dozens of Cubans interviewed this summer said they believed the elder Castro — who continues to denounce free-market practices — is blocking badly needed reforms, including sharp wage increases.
His death should remove any barrier to change. The restiveness is palpable and a significant departure from the quiet apathy many Cubans have felt during nearly 50 years of communist rule.
Even now Cubans are generally unwilling to criticize the government. Article 62 of the constitution states: “No recognized freedoms can be exercised against the constitution or the law, nor against the decision of the Cuban people to build socialism and communism,” greatly constricting freedom of speech.
“I think we are the only country with this kind of leadership,” says Jeanette, a teacher, who asked that her full name not be used for fear of political reprisal. “Officially Fidel is recuperating. But it has been a year. What kind of recuperation is that for a man who is 80-plus years old? He has to be very ill, but we are not being told the truth.”
Tick, tick, tick.
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Cuba could have been so much more….I won’t be shedding any tears when he passes.
Castro and Generalísimo Franco are still alive. But, are in deep direct talks at a location that cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
Photos of Castro couldn’t be taken due to the length of time required for the mummification process. Castro is presently residing in a sand dune in Libya while he completes the drying process. This should take another 30 or so days.
Once the process is completed Castro will be available for photographs every other Sunday and at Children’s birthday party’s.
My prayers are with the people of Cuba. Hopefully, when Fidel is gone, they’ll be able to speak out and tell all the liberals in America who worship Castro just what a horror life in Cuba was.
On that note, if you’re in the Milwaukee area, Cubanitas on Milwaukee north of Wisconsin Downtown will be serving free rum-and-cokes when Castro finally sheds this mortal coil. Guess where I’ll be when the dictator’s gone???
I think it says a lot that people are willing to face the unruly seas to get away from Castro. Apparently, even the health care’s not enough incentive to keep them in that communist hell hole.
Will they be auctioning off his ‘57 Chevy on eBay?
That could put the Cuban economy back on the mend after 50 years of stagnation and oppression.
How do you say “Weekend at Fidel’s” en espanol?
Face it, he’s been dead for a year or so.
Feliz cumpleanos a Fidel! Espero que pasaran pronto a otro mundo mejor sin tiranos.
Creo que “Weekend at Fidel’s” es El Fin de la Semana en la Casa de Fidel.
I just read Che Guavera and the useful idiots that idolize him (great book) It’s amazing how a rag tag army in Cuba got this far. The US really tanked on that one in the 60’s.
That’s the thing about commie dictators since the Soviet days: “leadership” eventually boils down to propping them up in public somewhere just long enough to squelch speculation that they’re dead.
Then it’s back to the intensive care ward.
By now fidel is probably in Hell where he belongs! Unfortunately the 11 million enslaved Cubans will need a lot of outside help and solidarity to finally get rid of that horrible regime.
I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it. Fidel is my favorite dictator. After all, he has been around since I was born, a constant in a world where there are few.
His attempts to be a thorn in the side of the USA have never ceased to amuse.
I can see it now:
1957 Chevy with 500,000 miles. Runs like new on Russian parts. Will need to transport to your location, but we are willing tie balloons and floats to it and ride it over with a labor force of 50-60!
Hopefully in a hand basket on his way to somewhere REALLY warm….
Thanks for the memories Fidel!
Say, anyone seen Jimmy Carter lately?
What took so long? I feel like crying. No I feel like singing.