2008 Woodie Awards
Fidel Castro's reign in Cuba may be over
Paddy Lehane
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: World
Cuba's parliamentary elections have yielded few surprises in the past. This year looked to be the same.
Over eight million people, around 95 percent of eligible voters, came out to vote on Jan. 20, choosing from among 614 candidates to fill 614 parliamentary positions. But the most important result of this election is yet to come.
The new National Assembly is required to approve the executive branch of the government, which includes Fidel Castro's role as head of state.
This marks the first time that Castro's undisputed role as Cuba's leader has been, well, disputed. Castro's age, 81, and his highly publicized ill-health have caused both critics and supporters to wonder if he should continue on as leader.
"Health-wise, it would be a good idea if he didn't run (to continue as the Cuban leader) and politically it would be better for him," said senior Ima Paz, an international studies major. "It would be better to leave on his own rather than have somebody overthrow or assassinate him."
Castro yielded power to his younger brother, Raul, in July 2006 after undergoing intestinal surgery. He has yet to be seen in public since, leading many to believe he is frailer than official reports say.
Now the question posed to Castro and the newly elected representatives is whether or not Castro should continue as leader, or should he step aside.
Many Western experts say Castro's retirement is inevitable.
"Handicapped and incapable of providing coherent leadership, the end of his historic reign is imminent," former U.S. intelligence officer Brian Latell wrote, according to the Washington Post. "It seems all but certain that, voluntarily or not, he'll vacate the Cuban presidency early this year."
Others worry about Castro's continuing impact on the government. Despite concerns, Castro himself stated in a letter printed by a Cuban state-run newspaper that he would not interfere with progress.
"My primary duty is not to cling to any position, and even less to obstruct the rise of younger persons."
Over eight million people, around 95 percent of eligible voters, came out to vote on Jan. 20, choosing from among 614 candidates to fill 614 parliamentary positions. But the most important result of this election is yet to come.
The new National Assembly is required to approve the executive branch of the government, which includes Fidel Castro's role as head of state.
This marks the first time that Castro's undisputed role as Cuba's leader has been, well, disputed. Castro's age, 81, and his highly publicized ill-health have caused both critics and supporters to wonder if he should continue on as leader.
"Health-wise, it would be a good idea if he didn't run (to continue as the Cuban leader) and politically it would be better for him," said senior Ima Paz, an international studies major. "It would be better to leave on his own rather than have somebody overthrow or assassinate him."
Castro yielded power to his younger brother, Raul, in July 2006 after undergoing intestinal surgery. He has yet to be seen in public since, leading many to believe he is frailer than official reports say.
Now the question posed to Castro and the newly elected representatives is whether or not Castro should continue as leader, or should he step aside.
Many Western experts say Castro's retirement is inevitable.
"Handicapped and incapable of providing coherent leadership, the end of his historic reign is imminent," former U.S. intelligence officer Brian Latell wrote, according to the Washington Post. "It seems all but certain that, voluntarily or not, he'll vacate the Cuban presidency early this year."
Others worry about Castro's continuing impact on the government. Despite concerns, Castro himself stated in a letter printed by a Cuban state-run newspaper that he would not interfere with progress.
"My primary duty is not to cling to any position, and even less to obstruct the rise of younger persons."
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