Castro Pt. 2: Fidel's Brother Raul Assumes Power

It was just a few days ago that the media world went nuts over the announcement that Fidel Castro, the longest serving dictator was stepping down. The media did it's best to dig up any Cuban-American it could find to get "their take" on the news. Guessing correctly, since his brother had been pretty much running the show as it was when Fidel underwent surgery, I believed that it was highly probable that Raul would just assume power.

And sure enough, he did. Shocked and amazed.

Having a pretty good idea already that things wouldn't be changing much, if any, I didn't put any stock in hoping for a brighter tomorrow for Cuba. Raul really isn't a nice guy, and his recent statements only solidified that belief. As Raul assumed the presidency yesterday, his statements pretty much echoed what I had been saying for days. Things will remain the same, and he will consult Fidel on major matters.

So much for change.

I've skimmed a few forums and comment sections of articles about Fidel's resignation, and what it means for Cuba. It's nice to see that people are holding out hope for Cubans, that things could eventually be getting better. But that's more or less a fantasy. With Raul now firmly in charge, and being a lil' bit more vile than his older brother Fidel, I can only guess that the environment will actually degenerate in Cuba. I think Florida, and the U.S. Coast Guard should be gearing up for a much larger influx of refugee's fleeing Cuba.

Kind of like what the world witnessed when the Berlin Wall finally dropped.

In MY opinion (and I hope I'm wrong), the only REAL hope I see Cuba has for improvement, is rebellion. It's an awful thought. And personally, I really don't wish that was the answer, but it's looking to be so. Now more than ever. I don't forsee, or even remotely believe that lifting the embargo against Cuba will have any positive effect, other than to help fill the pockets of Raul and the rest of the regime there.

I suppose a prayer, whether one is religious or not, is in order for the Cuban populace, that enough of them survive the coming years to actually see a new leader come to power FOR the Cuban people.