McClatchy DC Logo

Is Fidel Castro still in control? | McClatchy Washington Bureau

×
    • Customer Service
    • Mobile & Apps
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletters
    • Subscriber Services

    • All White House
    • Russia
    • All Congress
    • Budget
    • All Justice
    • Supreme Court
    • DOJ
    • Criminal Justice
    • All Elections
    • Campaigns
    • Midterms
    • The Influencer Series
    • All Policy
    • National Security
    • Guantanamo
    • Environment
    • Climate
    • Energy
    • Water Rights
    • Guns
    • Poverty
    • Health Care
    • Immigration
    • Trade
    • Civil Rights
    • Agriculture
    • Technology
    • Cybersecurity
    • All Nation & World
    • National
    • Regional
    • The East
    • The West
    • The Midwest
    • The South
    • World
    • Diplomacy
    • Latin America
    • Investigations
  • Podcasts
    • All Opinion
    • Political Cartoons

  • Our Newsrooms

World

Is Fidel Castro still in control?

WILFREDO CANCIO ISLA - Miami Herald

    ORDER REPRINT →

December 15, 2008 06:55 AM

Although Raul Castro was declared the new Cuban leader in February, Fidel Castro may not have stepped down completely.

Fidel was supposed to remain as a consultant on matters of national defense, foreign policy and the island's economy. But according to reports by a Cuban government official who asked to remain anonymous, Fidel has retained a great deal more control than what has been apparent.

''Fidel Castro is once again in command, like in the best of times,'' said the Cuban official. "He often picks up the telephone to control a meeting or find out about a discussion at the Council of Ministers.''

Fidel has been increasingly assuming responsibility for governmental policies and actions; meeting with visiting dignitaries, and being consulted on a variety of matters.

SIGN UP

Upon arriving in Caracas Saturday, during his first visit abroad as Cuba's leader, Raúl Castro showed deference to his older brother, telling Venezuelans that he had brought "regards from the leader of the revolution.''

The first public evidence of Fidel's return to decisionmaking in Cuba came in late April, following the dismissal of Education Minister Luis Ignácio Gómez. Two days after the official statement confirming the minister's ouster, it was Fidel Castro who explained the situation in one of his published ``reflections.''

''In this special and important case, besides my personal appreciations, I was consulted and fully informed,'' wrote Castro at the time. "I assume, therefore, the full responsibility for this decision, whatever the reactions and consequences.''

Read the complete story at miamiherald.com

  Comments  

Videos

Bolton announces U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil company

Women form 370-mile human wall for gender equality in India

View More Video

Trending Stories

Hawley fights subpoena: ‘The judicial process does not exist to harass public servants’

February 15, 2019 10:35 AM

PAC plans new effort to put a black candidate on the 2020 Democratic ticket

February 15, 2019 12:02 PM

McClatchy editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 11, 2019

February 15, 2019 11:47 AM

On offshore drilling, Mark Sanford and Joe Cunningham find their legacies are linked

February 15, 2019 05:00 AM

McConnell’s opposition to Green New Deal comes as he backs coal

February 15, 2019 02:10 PM

Read Next

Cruz pushes for stiffer gold penalties against Venezuela’s Maduro

Latin America

Cruz pushes for stiffer gold penalties against Venezuela’s Maduro

By Franco Ordoñez

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 15, 2019 02:38 PM

Sen. Ted Cruz is leading a group of Republican lawmakers that has devised a plan to punish countries, industries or financial institutions caught moving gold for Venezuela or Iran.

KEEP READING

MORE WORLD

Venezuela’s opposition acts like a government and makes plea for money

White House

Venezuela’s opposition acts like a government and makes plea for money

February 14, 2019 03:50 PM
Trump and Colombian president huddle on how to get aid to Venezuelans

White House

Trump and Colombian president huddle on how to get aid to Venezuelans

February 13, 2019 03:41 PM
Air charter firm, client both deny role in alleged shipment of arms to Venezuela

National Security

Air charter firm, client both deny role in alleged shipment of arms to Venezuela

February 08, 2019 08:07 PM
A Venezuelan exile is top diplomat for Guaidó’s government in the U.S.

Politics & Government

A Venezuelan exile is top diplomat for Guaidó’s government in the U.S.

February 08, 2019 06:00 AM
Brazil backs Trump and blames Cuba for Venezuela’s problems

Latin America

Brazil backs Trump and blames Cuba for Venezuela’s problems

February 07, 2019 07:10 PM
Venezuela says plane from Miami delivered weapons for use by enemies of Maduro

Latin America

Venezuela says plane from Miami delivered weapons for use by enemies of Maduro

February 07, 2019 06:13 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

McClatchy Washington Bureau App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Newsletters
Learn More
  • Customer Service
  • Securely Share News Tips
  • Contact Us
Advertising
  • Advertise With Us
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story