Fidel Castro is Back - Well, Sort Of

Filed in archive Latin News on June 6, 2007

Photo Credit

From the Time's Website:

A healthier looking fidel castro appeared on Cuban television Tuesday, speaking slowly and focusing on past memories rather than his recovery and future in his first lengthy appearance since he fell ill and gave up power last summer.

The 80-year-old Castro's now grayer beard and hair were well-trimmed and he looked rested and alert - no longer the picture of a man on the verge of death. But he did not speak of international issues and did not mention any plans to return to governing Cuba.

"I tell my compatriots, I'm now doing what I should be doing," Castro said, during an interview with Randy Alonso, host of the government's nightly "Round Table" program. "There are no secrets."

Ok. So, Castro didn't die. I really thought he was going to "the other side" this time. Obviously, I was wrong.

Castro has said he's "in no hurry to retake Cuba's presidency". He looks much healthier and all, but it seems to me he's not the same man he was before July 31, when he left Cuba's government for Raul Castro, his brother. (Meanwhile, don't you think that 76 years old is way too old for a president?)

Which leads me to the next thought: Castro is (or intended to be) a lifetime dictator. Apparently, now he's thinking about beginning a Cuban dynasty of dictators. Who will be next, when Raul becomes even older and sick?

At first, I thought Raul Castro was going to make some mayor changes, when he became president. However, nothing has changed. I wonder if he's waiting for Fidel's death to, I don't know, call for "real" elections?

We'll see. Right now, it's hard to tell what's going to happen in Cuba in the near future.

Oh, and could somebody please explain to me why is everybody talking about how Castro was dressed? Like it matters?