Castro Resigns

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro has formally stepped down as president of Cuba as of this morning.

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN)  — Fidel Castro announced his resignation as president of Cuba and commander in chief of Cuba's military Tuesday, according to a letter published in the state-run newspaper, Granma.

The resignation ends nearly a half-century of iron-fisted rule that inspired revolutionaries but frustrated 10 U.S. presidents.

Castro revealed his plans without notice by publishing a letter in the middle of the night in state-run newspaper Granma.

"I will not aspire to, nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," Castro wrote. "I wish only to fight as a soldier of ideas. … Perhaps my voice will be heard."

President Bush said Castro's decision ought to spark "a democratic transition" for Cuba.

"The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy and eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections," Bush said Tuesday in Rwanda. "The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty." 

Unfortunately, it does not look like any changes will be made in Cuba for some time. Raul Castro is firmly in place as the next dictator. Val Prieto at Babalu Blog agrees that nothing changes. 

Cuba's prisons are still rife with prisoners of conscience. Ordinary Cuban's are still subjected to Cuba's system of apartheid. Dissidents are still being round up and harrassed. The UN Declaration on Human Rights remains taboo on the island.

There is going to be much ado about new "freedoms" in Cuba and "changes" in policy and what not. Some are going to point to these as proof of raul's willingness for change. But, you know what? True freedom can't come piecemeal. The few crumbs this "new and improved" castro regime will toss down to the Cuban people will do little to stay any true hunger for liberty.

The day there is real change in Cuba – and not a carefully choreographed one – will be the day when every single Cuban on the island is allowed to know who Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet is. When every Cuban is allowed to know exactly and truthfully why he, and so many like him, have been rotting away in putrid jail cells for years.

For fifty years, the Cuban people have been physically, mentally, spiritually, ideologically, culturally and emotionally emasculated. Today's news is just another snip in a surreptitiously planned and meticulously orchestrated surgery.

Some will want to use this non-change as a reason to ease up on Cuba – that would be the wrong move. Until the jails are emptied and the Cuban people are really free, there is no reason to make any accommodations with Castro's hand picked successor. None at all.