Fidel Castro, 79, has reportedly ceded power to his bother Rau
Fidel Castro, 79, has reportedly ceded power to his bother Raul, 75, minister of defense. Carlos Valenciaga, Castro’s secretary, read the announcement over Cuba's state run television station.
For the first time in 47 years Fidel Castro is not in power in Cuba.
‘’There is no doubt the people and the revolution will struggle until the last drop of blood,’’ Said Valenciaga.
Castro, who will be 80 on Aug. 13, 2006, delegated some of his functions to high level Communist party leaders.
In the 1980's, the communist old guard began dying off in the Soviet Union. Not wanting to appoint an older leader who would die and put the country through the process of succession once more, the Supreme Soviet appointed Gorbachev, a young man in his 50's.
Gobachev then began his policy of "glasnost" (openness) which later lead to the fall of the Soviet system.
The transition of power from Castro to Castro is believed to be temporary while Fidel undergoes surgery.
Original: Castro Cedes Power