Is Fidel Castro Still Relevant?

[Derryck alias Mimbari]

http://mimbari.livejournal.com/
http://internationalpoliticalissues.blogspot.com/

September 16-2010:

Is Fidel Castro Still Relevant?


Ever since the overthrow of the Batista military dictatorship in Cuba,
by Fidel Castro, Che Guvera and the Socialists, Cuba has come a long
way.

The Bay Of Pigs fiasco which was organized and executed by CIA
conscripts failed miserably. Then came the Cuban Missile Crisis,
spurred by some Russian long range missiles which were setup on Cuban
soil, and was seen by the US as a serious threat to it's immediate
territory.

So president J. F. Kennedy urged Russia to dismantle and remove them
from Cuban soil.

The stand off took some days to bear fruit, causing global concern and
fear of a Nuclear Conflict between the USA and The then Soviet Union.

However, that was never to be, and the missiles were withdrawn,
followed by a stringent boycott of all trade, travel, and movement of
US citizens and Cuban nationals, based in the USA from visiting Cuba.

President Barack Obama's Rise To Power:

With the advent of president Barack Obama to the White House, some
changes were implemented to allow Cuban nationals here to visit their
relatives in Cuba. Money transfers to Cuba by relatives were also
allowed.

Some may call these changes meagre, but they heralded a shift in
Foreign Policy with Cuba anyway!

Is Fidel Castro Still relevant?

When Raul Castro (Fidel's brother), was allowed to assume the Prime
Ministership of Cuba by Fidel, some hoped that some change in National
and Foreign Policy was imminent. However, very few alterations were
made in both areas, and business as usual seem to be the case.

Fidel Castro, the Revolutionary and Spiritual Leader of the Cuban
people, in recent years seem to be aging rapidly, visibly ill and
frail. But has regained his composure, and appears on Public
Television as often as he can, to read his personal views on
International Affairs to the Cuban people.

Is Cuba Ready To Make The Leap To A Free Market Economy?

Fidel Castro said recently that it was a Political Mistake to have
introduced Socialism as the vanguard for National Development and Self
Determination. (or words to that effect). This came as a surprise to
the Global community, because he is the first Socialist leader who has
publicly acknowledged that reality. Will this realization make room
for the introduction of Private Enterprise (foreign and domestic), to
develop? I hope so!

But however it is perceived and implemented, I presume that it will be
very gradual, monitored by the Communist Party in power, and highly
regulated too.

Derryck.
NYC.