In a letter just published by official Communist Party paper, Granma (in the middle of the night in Cuba), the Cuban leader Fidel Castro has announced that he will not return to presidency.Following almost 50 years at the helm, this is an historic announcement.The 81-year old Castro, who led Cuban Revolution in 1959, has suffered ill health in recent years and has not been seen in public for the last 18 months. In July 2006 he temporarily handed over power to his brother, Raul, but is said to be involved in all decisions that are made for the country.In his letter, Castro writes that:“My desire was always to carry out my duties until my final breath” but that he “will not aspire to or accept the post of president of the Council of State and commander-in-chief” as “it would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion that I am not in a physical condition to offer"The revolutionary leader goes on to say: “I do not bid you farewell. My only wish is to fight as a soldier of ideas. I will continue to write under the title 'Reflections of compadre Fidel'. It will be another weapon in the arsenal on which you will be able to count. Perhaps my voice will be heard. I will be careful".It will be fascinating to see how Cuba reacts as it wakes up this morning to the news, and how the world reacts to the knowledge that a new era is just about to begin for this small but globally significant Caribbean county.If you have any thoughts or comments, please comment in the forum: The future of Cuba after Fidel Castro.
