The End of The Fidel Era in
Costa Rica
Fidel Castro's
announcement that he is
stepping down from the
presidency and
leadership of Cuba was
big news around the
world yesterday,
however, some
governments like Costa
Rica's downplayed the
event.
The position of the
Costa Rican government,
which does not have
diplomatic relations
with Cuba, were summed
up in the words of Costa
Rican president, Oscar
Arias, said "There will
not be any substantial
change that will allow
the establishment of a
western democracy in
Cuba until Fidel is
dead", according to the
newswire EFE.
Costa Rica's foreign
ministry said yesterday
that it is following the
situation with interest,
however, the
announcement does not
provide any significant
change.
Costa Rica is a
supporter of the Cuban
people's desire for
democracy and is opposed
to the United States
economic blockade of the
Caribbean island, an
action that has caused
Cubans harm and
suffering.
Although the news of
Castro's stepping down
had been expected.
However, the words of
the leader of a nation
for almost fifty years
"I neither will aspire
to nor will I accept the
position of president of
the council of state and
of commander in chief",
made headlines around
the world.
The reaction of the
Cuban community in Costa
Rica was mixed, some
saying that there will
be more freedom under
Fidel's younger brother
Raul's regime, to lets
wait some time to see
what happens.
Castro had hinted at his
decision to step down so
the announcement wasn't
a total surprise,
especially to insiders.
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