Fidel’s silence on US-Cuba thawing
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EVERYONE in Cuba is talking about the startling turn in relations with the United States, with one notable exception: Fidel Castro.
So far, the larger-than-life retired Cuban leader has made no public comment on the biggest news in years — that the US and his island nation will restore diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of hostility.
His brother, President Raul Castro, announced the historic shift in a surprise television appearance on Wednesday and there was speculation he could address it again during the Cuban National Assembly, which started one of its twice-annual sessions Friday.
Among those speaking out on the topic was Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela Castro. She said moves by President Barack Obama to ease some travel and trade restrictions with the island are welcome but won’t lead to the downfall of the communist system.
“If the US thinks these changes will bring Cuba back to capitalism and return it to being a servile country to hegemonic interests of the most powerful financial groups in the US, they must be dreaming,” she said.
But it’s her uncle who has long personified the Cuban revolution and its defiance of Washington.
When he suddenly went silent in 2011, there was speculation about the health of the elderly former leader, and now there is again.
Writer and Cuba expert Ann Louise Bardach says rumors swirl that the 88-year-old Castro never fully recovered from surgeries that prompted his retirement.
“Even if he were in perfect health, he’s of a certain age,” said Bardach, author of “Without Fidel” and “Cuba Confidential.”
Another explanation is that Fidel Castro is staying out of the limelight because, officially at least, his brother runs the country. Government officials won’t discuss such a sensitive issue, and many ordinary Cubans shrug it off.
“He’ll come out later,” 19-year-old English student Enriqueta Nieto said of Fidel Castro. “But I think he’s fine.”
Obama said Fidel Castro’s name came up only briefly in his phone conversation this week with Raul.
It’s not clear if Raul Castro brought up restoration of relations at Friday’s National Assembly session, which was not open to the public.
The elder Castro rarely appears in public these days. He last was seen on January 8 when he attended an art exhibition in Havana. The last official photos showed him meeting in July with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Havana.
In August, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he met with him and showed photos of their encounter. His last written commentary, about Cuba’s efforts to fight Ebola, was in October.
“I think that Fidel is a little bit older and his activities are very limited,” said Maria Teresa Ojito, a 66-year-old language teacher.
But, she said, “I’m not very worried because Raul is the one who’s running the country. ... Really, the one who has to make decisions these days and enter into dialogue is Raul, not Fidel.”
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