Sat, 13 August 2011
By Jeff Franks - REVOLUTIONARY legend Fidel Castro turns 85 today, still
an important figure in his communist-ruled Cuba, but increasingly a
fading presence in the life of the country he ran for 49 years. He gave
up his last leadership post this year when he stepped down as head of
the ruling Communist Party and has retreated further and further from
public view.
His gradual slipping away appears to be a product of choice borne of
necessity, but also of a transition plan to wean Cuba from its once
near-total dependence on the charismatic Comandante's leadership. He is
rarely seen or heard from and has stood largely on the sidelines as his
younger brother and replacement, President Raul Castro, struggles to
reform Cuba's Soviet-style economy.
"His role has diminished significantly. He has stepped away more so than
at any point in the last five years," said Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, a
Cuba expert at the University of Nebraska in Omaha.
"It may be a case of Raul Castro solidifying his governing style and
Fidel willingly receding," he said.
Cuba was to celebrate the birthday today with a nationally televised
"serenade" by a lineup of musicians. Organisers said they did not know
if Fidel Castro would attend personally.
He came to power on New Year's Day 1959 when his forces swept down from
the eastern Sierra Maestra mountains to topple US-backed dictator
Fulgencio Batista.
As Cuba's president, he outlasted nine US presidents and five decades of
US hostility, but in July 2006 he underwent emergency intestinal surgery
and suffered complications from which he never fully recovered.
He handed power provisionally to Raul Castro, then did so officially
when he resigned in February 2008 and his younger sibling was elected
president by the National Assembly.
The fading of Fidel's political presence has mirrored a physical decline
that was most notable at a Communist Party congress in April when he
made just one appearance and had to be helped to his chair on the stage.
The man once famous for his speeches sat wordlessly as his brother did
all the talking in a silent passing of the torch.
Now, like many elderly, he is tending to the health of a sick friend, in
this case close ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who is being
treated in Cuba.
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