The Washington Post yesterday and a few other sources pointed out that, interestingly, Fidel Castro has not appeared publicly alongside his brother Raúl since he stepped down from the presidency four years ago.
And so the seed was planted, and everything begins to look like evidence. Raúl’s recent agreements to release Cuban prisoners and Fidel’s silence on the issue; Fidel’s spate of recent appearances after years out of the public eye but notable absence beside his brother at the Revolution Day celebration and at the National Assembly meeting this week; Raúl’s solo speech to the National Assembly while Fidel chose instead to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi instead; Fidel’s solo release this week of his newest book, a historical account (with autobiographical content) called The Strategic Victory.
Where has the leadership’s unified front gone? Or is it a case of divide and conquer?
In any case the issue will not be a serious one, or at least does not appear that way. Fidel and Raúl have long been recognized to have differing views on a variety of topics, including economic reforms, international relationships and human rights accords. That they would continue to disagree behind the scenes would not be surprising. But as neither publicly contradicts the other, Fidel’s reappearance might have little to do with the state agenda and his opinions (contrary or not) on it, and more to do with rallying and giving hope to—or even distracting—a weary Cuban public as the economy continues to stagnate.
(AP Photo/Cubadebate, Roberto Chile)