In a letter published by the Website of official Communist Party paper, Granma, Castro said he would not return to the presidency, following his long illness. "I neither will aspire to, nor will I accept, the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," he wrote in the letter.
Western reporters said the streets of the capital Havana were empty and news of Castro’s retirement from politics had not reached Cubans yet by radio or the printed edition of Granma. Castro, who has not appeared in public for the last 19 months, handed over power "temporarily" to his brother, Raul, in July 2006 when he underwent intestinal surgery.
The 81-year-old has ruled Cuba since leading a communist revolution in 1959. He said in a letter in December already that he did not want to stay in power forever. Castro added that his duty is not to hold on to positions or block the path of younger people, but to share the experiences and ideas from his life.
BROTHER PRESIDENT
The National Assembly or legislature was expected to nominate his brother and designated successor Raul Castro, 76, as president. It was a major decision for Castro, who created the title "Comandante en Jefe" or commander-in-chief in 1958 as supreme leader of the guerrilla forces that swept down from the mountains of eastern Cuba to overthrow US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.
Analysts said Castro’s retirement draws the curtain on a political career that spanned the Cold War and survived US enmity, CIA assassination attempts and the demise of Soviet Communism.
A charismatic leader famous for his long speeches delivered in his green military fatigues, Castro is admired in the Third World for standing up to the United States but considered by his opponents a tyrant who suppressed freedom. His illness and departure from Cuba’s helm have raised doubts about the future of the Western Hemisphere’s only Communist state.
STILL SUPPORT
"Fortunately, our Revolution can still count on cadres from the old guard and others who were very young in the early stages of the process," Castro said in his statement. "They have the authority and the experience to guarantee the replacement," he said.
However rights groups and dissidents have long said they hope his resignation, or death, will lead to democratic changes and the release of at least hundreds of dissidents, including many Christians. In one of the most published developments, over 70 Christian and other activists were detained in a massive government crackdown in March 2003 on dissidents demanding more religious and political freedom.
Many were sentenced to long prison terms to charges that included "acts against the independence and the territorial integrity of the Cuban State". There have since been reports of torture and other abuse endured by prisoners. Castro has always denied human rights abuses and the existence of dissidents, saying most people detained were "mercenaries of the United States." (With BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos. Stay with BosNewsLife for continues coverage on developments in Cuba).
