Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 | 2:08 a.m.
Fidel Castro took control of Cuba nearly half a century ago in a revolution with promises of social reforms and democratic elections. Instead, he created a totalitarian state that crushed human rights.
His resignation Tuesday as president of Cuba is welcome news, yet it is not likely a harbinger of hope for repressed Cubans. Raul Castro, his brother, will take charge and will likely be his permanent successor, and there is a line of other like-minded men who are reportedly prepared to keep Cuba yoked to its failed communist beliefs.
In a letter posted on the Internet, Castro, 81, pointed to his poor health as a reason for his resignation, but he noted he would still remain in government leadership and would “fight as a soldier in the battle of ideas.”
His Marxist ideas, however, have resulted in a human rights nightmare. He has overseen the murder of thousands of dissidents and the imprisonment of many times more than that. He also sent thousands of criminals and mental patients to America in what became known as the Mariel boatlift.
His supporters have applauded his education and health care initiatives, but as he steps down, the Cuban economy is still in tatters, with many Cubans struggling to survive on the meager wages they make from government jobs. The economy, which crashed after the collapse of Cuba’s patron, the Soviet Union, has left some people pursuing desperate courses of action, and the country has become infamous for human trafficking and the sex trade.
The Cuban economy also has been hampered by the U.S. trade embargo, a remnant of the Cold War that probably won’t be eased until the U.S. government sees true democratic reforms. But reform likely won’t happen anytime soon Castro, in his resignation letter, urged other Cubans to stand with him against America.
Our guess is that most Cubans would prefer to stand up for freedom and democracy. Our hope is that Castro’s resignation is the start of a chain of events that will lead to that.
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