Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

EDITORIAL: Castro's death may not be death of communism
Staff Editorial
The Collegiate Times (Virginia Tech)
08/04/2006

(U-WIRE) BLACKSBURG, Va. — With Fidel Castro's recent transfer of power to his brother Raul, citizens of Cuba and people around the world are waiting in uncertain anticipation of what may be a change in power at the top of one of the world's few remaining communist nations. Fidel designed this relocation of power as a way to sustain power over Cuba long after he is dead and expects his political ideals to persist flawlessly.

Castro transferred his prestigious title to his brother on Monday due to planned intestinal surgery. Castro transformed this small republic into a communist political arena forty years ago, and he now stands tall at the forefront of nearly as much controversy as he did then.

Through maintaining ironclad control over his country, Cuba has been host to many successful economic and social policies that aided in shaping Cuba as it is known today. From land reform to economic aid toward public health care, there is no question that Castro was successful in his attempts to mold his country. Even as he earned success in his domestic policies, Castro suffered failures abroad in his attempts to expand Cuba's presence on the world stage.

With a relationship that was once full of admiration and respect, Cuba's relationship with the United States has gone sour. The American economic embargo that was put in place on his accession to power remains in place today. But now, many Cubans and Americans are left to wonder what's next. This allegedly temporary transition has created many questions and much debate about what the changeover really means for the future of Cuba and what its future means to the United States.

While many Cuban-Americans celebrated the news of the handover of power, Cubans themselves seem to be taking the news in stride. There have been no demonstrations or large-scale reactions yet. It seems a sound position to take. Many Americans have been too quick to judge, acting as if Castro has already died. This is certainly not the case.

Although Raul does not appear to be as much of a public crowd-pleaser as his brother, he still embodies the same communist ideals as Fidel, and will not be quick to lose them in all of the transitional confusion. The worst move America could make right now would be to assume Castro is as good as dead and hastily commence political plans accordingly. Raul may be an unknown quantity to many Americans and Cubans, but he certainly still has the support of many, if not most Cubans. Any dreams of returning democracy to Cuba will have to wait for the time being.

Castro is not dead yet, and it would be foolish to act as if he were. When Castro does permanently leave the post of Cuba's leader, communism may not die with him. Communism has had forty years to set down roots in Cuba and has been somewhat successful. We should not expect change overnight.

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