Legend says that he had survived 638 US sponsored assassination attempts. Exploding cigars, poisoned food and infected diving suit could not put a break to his 49-years regime that saw nine US presidents. However, finally to the relief of the mighty Americans, Fidel Castro owing to his failing health has finally decided to step down as the President and Commander-in-Chief of Cuba. In an open letter to the people of Cuba, Castro has announced his retirement decision. Now what remains to be seen is whether USA’s Cuban policy will change but with not much time left for President George Bush to remain in power it is left to his Republican or Democrat successor to decide on any change in its foreign policy, if any.

America’s desire of bringing democracy to Cuba dates back to 1959 when Mr. Castro‘s communist guerrilla army toppled the pro-US dictator Fulgencio Batista. While America was content with a pro-US dictator trampling human rights in Cuba, it suddenly donned the attire of the savior of Cuban democracy and human rights as soon as a communist government came to power. This was but natural for a country on the path of a ‘cold war’ with the mighty Soviets. During his days in the forests of South America, planning to establish communism in his country Fidel Castro found an able compatriot in the famous Bolivian revolutionary Che Guevara. In 1961, USA failed in its mission to invade Cuba by raising an army of expatriate Cubans, in what is infamously known as the fiasco of the Bay of Pigs. During those days while USA was trying to oust Mr. Castro through a number of secret missions the Cuban President had won the close association of Khrushchev and the Russians.

With passage of time, the fall of Soviet Russia and socialism in the eastern European countries, Mr. Castro had to look for new comrades-in-arm and this time he won the allegiance of Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela. In fact, during the 49-year old reign of Fidel Castro, Cuba not only saw violation of human rights and democratic ideals as USA and its allies would like the world to believe, Cuba had also transformed itself from a poor country to a nation with 98% literacy rate and low level of child mortality that is equivalent to USA and other western countries. In fact, Mr. Castro is credited to have built a free advanced health care system for Cubans.

Fidel Castro has handed over power to his brother Raul Castro. However, Fidel Castro will continue to exert his influence through a new ‘weapon’ – his writings under the title ‘Reflection of Comrade Fidel’. However though President Fidel Castro has given up his political position but the legacy of Fidel Castro will remain.

Source: Independent
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