Castro Resigns!

By Pamela Mortimer

Fidel Castro is probably the most well known leader in the modern world. On Tuesday, the Cuban dictator, age 81, resigned from the office he has held since 1959. Castro has been ill since 2006, when his younger brother, Raul, 76, stepped up to help out during the reigning ruler’s recovery. Alas, Fidel wasn’t meant to recover to the degree that would allow him to resume his position as the supreme autocrat.

In July 2006, Fidel Castro underwent intestinal surgery, the event which spurred Raul to become president pro temp. Since the operation, the elder Castro has not been seen in public and has appeared infrequently in photographs and videos. He also spent a great deal of time publishing essays regarding international rule.

Taking over for Fidel is Raul Castro, the man who has been acting as the Cuban president. Raul has hinted that he would like to implement reforms in the government, but world leaders aren’t holding their collective breath. President Bush stated that while he hopes Castro’s resignation could be the beginning of a "democratic transition", the transformation wasn’t likely to happen with another Castro in power. The State Department has referred to the regime change as a "transfer of authority and power from dictator to dictator light."

Castro’s resignation was published Tuesday via an online edition of the Communist Party’s Granma.

"My wishes have always been to discharge my duties to my last breath. [But] it would be a betrayal to my conscience to accept a responsibility requiring more mobility and dedication than I am physically able to offer."

As the news of the historical event spread across the island, Cubans expressed their feelings about Castro.

"It is like losing a father," said Luis Conte, an elderly museum watchman. Or "like a marriage — a very long one that is over."

Cuban rebels greeted the news as a possible open door toward change.

"The change of a person does not signify the change of a system," said Oswaldo Paya, whose pro-democracy Varela Project made an attempt at reforming civil rights and election policies. "We have always maintained hope and today we are more hopeful."

Little Havana in Miami, a highly populated "exile community", was abuzz with the news. On the streets honked their horns and revelers could be heard shouting out "Free Cuba!"

In Washington D.C., government sources have said that there are no plans to change U.S. policies on Cuba.