Castro Tells the United States to Ante Up
Fidel jumps back into the fray with his usual finger pointing
Hoping your next cruise will include a Cuban itinerary? Don't pack your sunscreen - Fidel has a few tricks up his sleeve yet. For an 81-year-old tyrant, Castro is still a media darling, and clearly loving every minute of it.
On Tuesday, after 49 years in power, Castro released a letter to the Communist Party newspaper, Granma, announcing his intention to officially retire. He finished the letter stating he'd be taking a few days off before transferring power on Sunday.
Fidel CastroBut apparently Castro is happiest when seeing how far he can push the US, and his few days of rest ended this morning when he released another letter.
"I enjoyed seeing the embarrassing position of all the U.S. presidential candidates," he wrote in a Granma column published earlier today.
"One by one, they felt obliged to make immediate demands on Cuba to avoid risking a single vote," Castro wrote. "'Change, change, change!'" they cried in chorus. I agree, 'change!' but in the United States," he wrote.
Clearly Castro is going out of power the same way he came in - taunting the US. Which is a little like poking the bear. Some people never learn...
Fidel Castro, the longest ruling political leader of the past century, allied Cuba with the Soviets just miles from US shores when he seized power during an armed revolution in 1959.
On Tuesday, Bush said he hopes Castro's departure will signify positive, democratic change in Cuba.
Castro doesn't agree and accused the US of annexation dreams. He also criticized "diminished European powers" for aligning with the US.
Anyone else you'd like insult before stepping down, Castro?
It doesn't look like the US embargos will be lifted anytime soon, and cruise lines and Caribbean travelers will have a while to cool their heels until real change happens on the island.
And until Castro steps down, the show promises to be interesting.
