Fidel Says “Adios!”… But Not Really
Finally, the days of Fidel’s reign over the tiny island of Cuba are over! After nearly 50 years of power, the ailing leader announced today that he would not accept “the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief.”
Cue the conga line, shake those maracas, line up the mojitos, and light those cigars!
Right?…
Well, before you start packing the Guayaberas and plan your Cuban getaway, there’s reason to believe the 50-year-old embargo against Cuba isn’t retiring with Fidel. The 1996 Helms-Burton Act set tough conditions for lifting the embargo, and Bush’s hardline stance on Cuba didn’t help much either. Plus, it’s pretty certain that Raul, Fidel’s brother, will take the helm, and that as long as Fidel is able, he’ll have his hands in the Carne con Papas.
But what about the pristine Los Jardines de la Reina…the exotic Sierra Maestras…those steamy Havana nights! There are so many things just waiting to be explored on this off-limits island, I can’t help but hold out hope that come next year’s new administration—whatever that may be—things might change.
In the spirit of wishful thinking and bipartisan travel, maybe just a small mojito and a rerun of “I Love Lucy?”