Cuban newspaper releases picture of Fidel Castro

[Zorro]

Cuba's state newspaper released a photograph of the country's former revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, on Saturday.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and appearing to have been assisted by an aide, Castro was pictured listening to visiting Venezuelan National Assembly president, Diosdado Cabello.

The picture suggests Castro is still involved in the region's politics despite ceding leadership of Cuba to his brother Raul in 2006 following a life-threatening intestinal disease.

Raul Castro marked his 82nd birthday Monday, another reminder that time is running out for the aging generation that has led the country since the 1959 revolution.

http://www.local10.com/news/new-photo-of-fidel-castro-released-this-weekend/-/1717324/20488162/-/5nyd34/-/index.html

I find it quite interesting for Diosdado Cabello to schedule a meeting with Fidel, and wonder whether it bears any relationship to the recent revelations recorded on the Silva tape.

[Socialistlemur]

1. I think it's symbolic

Castro seems to have Alzheimer's. As talkative as he is they would have him recorded giving Cabello a few homilies. This is just a message which the Cubans send to their own people, that Father is still looking out for the "revolution".

[Mika]

2. Cubans don't live in a cave.

Your doggerel is useless. The Cuban people are looking out for the Revolution, as always. For the most part, a vast majority of Cubans feel great affection for all of their July 26 Revolutionaries, but, they know full well that they, themselves, are in charge of their future... and are preparing for it.
The Revolution never ends!
Viva Cuba!

[Socialistlemur]

3. Hard to tell what people feel don't you think?

It's hard to tell what people think when there's no polling. My impression is the old man can't say much...did you notice they show photographs but they don't tape him much? I have a grand uncle with Alzheimer's and he sure looks like Fidel Castro. He has better days, and worse days.

In a normal country, the visiting politicians aren't shown with very old retired leaders. For example I don't think Dilma Rouseff will meet with Jimmy Carter, even though he's a prestigious leader and very admired. And it should be evident to Venezuelans it doesn't really make much difference...Cabello isn't that popular, he couldn't even beat Capriles for Miranda governor a few years ago.

This tells me the photo opportunity is about the Cuban people, sort of showing things are still ok. There's a lot of insecurity because the government is switching to a private capitalist system. And I read there are those who would rather stay with their state jobs rather than be out on the street trying to start a business or working for a more capitalist minded Cuban.

[ocpagu]

4. "I don't think Dilma Rousseff will meet with Jimmy Carter"

She already has.



Oh, with Raul Castro too.

[Socialistlemur]

5. Yes? Did she meet jimmy carter during an official trip to Washington?

The point is in the USA old presidents stay out of the photo ops with high level visitors and that sort of limelight, Fidel Castro, who is clearly suffering from mental deterioration, seems to get wheeled out like an animatronics figure for photo opportunities. As for Raul Castro, I hear he's still functioning but his genetics tell us he may end like Fidel (although I suppose the older brother did have serious health problems). So as a head of state of course he would know Dilma. Your photos come from a nice collection, but they don't help you make a point. I still believe they consider Castro a Marxist Stalinist type icon. There must be a lot of stress in the population. Did you get to see the film "Goodbye Lenin"? It shows how stressful a switch from a Stalinist state to a capitalist one can be.

[Mika]

6. When were you in Cuba?

You seem to be making a lot of proclamations and observations on Cuba and Cubans. Are your proclamations based on personal experience and personal observations by you in Cuba?

Thanks.

[Socialistlemur]

7. I am a keen observer

I have to write analysis papers about the Venezuelan economy. Given the hybridization of Venezuela with Cuba it's important to understand what happens in Cuba. I will eventually have material for a really good book, I think. I don't think it's necessary to go to Cuba to understand the trend if one has read and visited other former communist nations. I visited Russia and China several times, and I interviewed persons from Yugoslavia, Azarbaijan, East Germany, and of course Cubans. I even managed to talk to a Cuban who used to be in the medical program in Venezuela, and a Cuban who was with Fidel Castro in the mountains during a trip he made abroad.

What you'll find is they talk a lot if they trust you and realize there's no particular agenda. I'm more interested in the change Raul Castro is leading to change Cuba to a capitalist system. This seems conditioned by Venezuela's economy. Therefore if Venezuela keeps heading in the wrong direction Cuba will be facing interesting choices. I think the Cubans are in Venezuela up to their necks and will eventually get Maduro to grow up, or will do a deal with Cabello. But there is a real need to fix both economies using a more rational approach.

If you want to pass me information that's great. But I'm not interested in cheerleading material. For example, a few years ago Castro killed the Cuban biofuels industry based on a flawed paper by Atilio Boron. What is the current thought about it? Do they really think they can rely on Venezuela's oil supplies forever?

[Mika]

8. So, you're a keen observer of someplace you've never observed. I see.

Having lived there, having family there, having visited many times over most of my 50+ years on this planet, having taught there, having taken seminars there, having cut cane there ......
I only "cheerlead" for the good and decent people of Cuba and their sovereignty.
I'm not interested in your slanderous ignorant "cheerleading material".

Bye bye.

ps - go to Cuba and see for yourself.