Fidel steps down as Cuban President

**jebus** · 19/02/2008, 9:14 AM

BBC Report

Pretty historic day in the world's history as Castro officiallt steps down after 49 years in power. Love or loathe the man I doubt anyone can deny he is one of the major icons of the 20th century, and to be honest even the CIA must have a grudging respect for the way he has stayed alive and in power despite America's best attempts

**Lim till i die** · 19/02/2008, 11:12 AM

How long before America "Frees" the Cuban people??

**jmurphyc** · 19/02/2008, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

How long before America "Frees" the Cuban people??

Don't think it'll happen. At least not for a while anyway. They had their chance when he first relinquished the presidency.

**John83** · 19/02/2008, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

How long before America "Frees" the Cuban people??

If you want to be that cynical, there's not a lot of oil in Cuba.

**Lim till i die** · 19/02/2008, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by jmurphyc

Don't think it'll happen. At least not for a while anyway. They had their chance when he first relinquished the presidency.

I genuinely give it Five Years tops.

**jebus** · 19/02/2008, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

I genuinely give it Five Years tops.

I'd call it at 3, depending who wins the Election though. The Republicans have always had more of a bee in their bonnet about Fidel than the Democrats (although that's not saying the Democrats despise the man), but I could see Obama being more touchy feely about the sunject than McCain

**jmurphyc** · 19/02/2008, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

I genuinely give it Five Years tops.

Would it even be worth it for them? I mean, Cuba isn't really a threat and there's no real money grabbing opportunity in Cuba. Most of the Cubans who despise Castro no longer live there so if America did try to invade(?) there would be a massive revolt.

**jebus** · 19/02/2008, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by jmurphyc

Would it even be worth it for them? I mean, Cuba isn't really a threat and there's no real money grabbing opportunity in Cuba. Most of the Cubans who despise Castro no longer live there so if America did try to invade(?) there would be a massive revolt.

The Exiled Cubans still want it back, and America still want it so they can all laugh about those mad Commie years in their history books

**shakermaker1982** · 19/02/2008, 11:29 AM

Has Bush got time to invade Cuba before he steps down? I bet he'd love to add that to his CV of war mongering.

**John83** · 19/02/2008, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Has Bush got time to invade Cuba before he steps down? I bet he'd love to add that to his CV of war mongering.

Time, yes. Money, troops and the support of the houses, not so much.

**Lim till i die** · 19/02/2008, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by John83

If you want to be that cynical, there's not a lot of oil in Cuba.

I realise that.

But don't you still think they'd like to put Cuba over their knee for old times sake??

Plus they could make it a proper little holiday place.

Like the good old days before the revolution.

When peasants were peasants, gangsters were gangsters and everyone knew their place.

**Lim till i die** · 19/02/2008, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by jebus

The Exiled Cubans still want it back

They made a great job of their last attempt

Still, I suppose their ranks have been filled by generations of hardened criminals in the meantime

**noby** · 19/02/2008, 11:51 AM

Florida, a crucial state in American elections, possibly just got more interesting.

**superfrank** · 19/02/2008, 12:13 PM

Call me a cynic but I've developed a conspiracy theory.

Castro died either in the immmediate aftermath of the operation or in the time since and the loyal-to-Fidel Cuban government are too afraid of the Amercians invading or the people revolting if they announce it officially.

I mean if the man can't appear in public, how can he be expected to write a letter?

**Lim till i die** · 19/02/2008, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

Call me a cynic but I've developed a conspiracy theory.

I assumed he was dead aswell.

I don't see why the Cuban government would be afraid of the people revolting mind

**superfrank** · 19/02/2008, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

I assumed he was dead aswell.

I don't see why the Cuban government would be afraid of the people revolting mind

They'd lose everything they have and they'd probably be jailed.

**jebus** · 19/02/2008, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

Call me a cynic but I've developed a conspiracy theory.

Castro died either in the immmediate aftermath of the operation or in the time since and the loyal-to-Fidel Cuban government are too afraid of the Amercians invading or the people revolting if they announce it officially.

I mean if the man can't appear in public, how can he be expected to write a letter?

Castro was and is still very popular among the poorer Cubans so they wouldn't revolt against his chosen successor. I assume he is dead as well, but I think he died later then you think, he may not have been up for addressing a crowd in his state but that doesn't mean he was dead. The Americans probably won't invade with an armed force, but they will try and get a pro-American man on the throne

**Lim till i die** · 19/02/2008, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

They'd lose everything they have and they'd probably be jailed.

Why would the people revolt??

So they can have the glories of the market and their living standards risen to those of Haiti, Guatemala or Nicuragua??

**jmurphyc** · 19/02/2008, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by jebus

The Americans probably won't invade with an armed force, but they will try and get a pro-American man on the throne

Exactly. That may be why there are no elections in Cuba; if there were then America could just massively fund a pro-USA candidate and this may help him win, which Castro obviously doesn't want.