Let the Cuba Watch Begin

So, are Castro's health woes worse than first indicated as he's undergoing surgery to deal with intestinal bleeding. I wouldn't be surprised if the situation is even worse than they're reporting. Castro isn't exactly up front about his health.

But the more interesting question is who is providing his care. Is he in Cuba receiving treatment or has he gone elsewhere? Has he brought in doctors from somewhere else to provide his treatment? Or, is he taking his chances with the Cuban medical system, which works so well for all the other Cubans (see more on Cuba's health care folly at Val Prieto's site). First among equals is how I figure it.

Fidel is expected to be out of commission for several months recuperating from the surgery. Too bad. So sad.

The celebrations began in Little Havanas around the US on the news hitting the airwaves last nite. I'd temper the celebrations just a wee bit as Fidel's brother Raul has been left in charge. Oh joy.

Val's site Babalublog has a roundup, and picks up the deathwatch. Check in with him for more roundups.

UPDATE:
The great guessing game continues. At the New York Times:

Hours after Fidel Castro temporarily ceded power to his brother, there is an unanswered question in Little Havana: Is he alive or dead?

I think we'd all like to know whether Fidel is out of the picture, but Raul is no bed of roses.

The socialist paradise is certainly being tight lipped over what is going on. Do they not want people to know? Indeed, they didn't want their own citizens to know the severity of the situation. Everyone is wondering what is going on. His allies say he's recovering. Of course he is.

Is this the end of an era? I think it's too soon to say, especially if Raul is as bad as reports indicate. Does this mean that Cuba will begin a healing process? Again, that depends on what Raul intends to do.

The future of Cuba depends as much on what Raul does, as he had been assuming a more vocal and visible role over the past few years. If Cuba does want to go in a different direction, the US is there to assist. The truth is that no one really knows for sure what will happen.

The death watch is certainly moved into high gear.

UPDATE:
Fausta (without the bad hair - new blog, same great content) has a roundup of reactions.

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