The Castro and Cuba Watch Continues

Still no word on Fidel Castro's condition, and no one has seen or heard from Fidel's brother Raul either. No one quite knows what to make of it. Meanwhile, the White House has released the following statement:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

(McAllen, Texas)

For Immediate Release August 3, 2006

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

The United States is actively monitoring the situation in Cuba following the announcement of a transfer of power. At this time of uncertainty in Cuba, one thing is clear: The United States is absolutely committed to supporting the Cuban people’s aspirations for democracy and freedom. We have repeatedly said that the Cuban people deserve to live in freedom. I encourage all democratic nations to unite in support of the right of the Cuban people to define a democratic future for their country. I urge the Cuban people to work for democratic change on the island. We will support you in your effort to build a transitional government in Cuba committed to democracy, and we will take note of those, in the current Cuban regime, who obstruct your desire for a free Cuba. In the event of a transition in the Cuban government, we stand ready to provide humanitarian assistance as needed to help the Cuban people. It has long been the hope of the United States to have a free, independent, and democratic Cuba as a close friend and neighbor. In achieving this, the Cuban people can count on the full and unconditional support of the United States.

There's also word from a Communist paper in Cuba that a group of seven people, including Raul, have been chosen by Fidel to run the country. Wire reports, relying on Castro's people, are busy saying that Fidel is well and in charge of things.

Meanwhile, keep watching Venezuela, which has been throwing Cuba a bone ever since Hugo Chavez became chummy with Fidel after Chavez took power in Caracas.

Some folks still don't get it. They wonder why there are folks who were dancing when news that Castro was critically ill and needed surgery. I am thankful enough never to know what it is like to live life in a totalitarian hellhole, get run from my home because I didn't agree with the government, or have relatives killed or imprisoned for their political positions. Yet, that's precisely what happened in Cuba on a daily basis. That was Fidel's way. That's his brother's way. It's the way of the Cuban Communists.

So what happens next? We haven't gotten to that point yet, though some exiles are wondering whether they'd return home. Other exiles are fearful of being deported.

UPDATE:
Wire reports prepared by the Cubans say that Raul is in charge, which disputes earlier claims that there would be a group of people running the show. In other words, no one knows what's going on and the Cuban communists are trying to buy time.

UPDATE:
If Fidel is alive and well, how come the Cuban communists keep acting as though they've got something to hide. And where's Raul? Inquiring minds want to know, but we wont hear the news from independent journalists since they're not welcome in the workers' paradise.

More sauce for the goose.

Technorati: Fidel Castro, Castro, Fidel, Raul, Cuba.