« Simple Logic from Marta's Cuban American Kitchen | Babalu Blog - Main Page | Finally! »

What if Fidel and Raul are both dead? Who's in charge? Is it Lage, Alarcon or some general?

How long can Cuba run on auto-pilot?

A quiet fading away of Fidel is the best case scenario for Raul. But, if Raul is dead or dying or too drunk to function then someone has to step up.

I would imagine it would be either Lage or Alarcon but in Cuba - anything goes.

As I had stated in my previous post - during my recent trip to the island, I did - on more than one occasion - here the hypotheses that perhaps Raul had "left the building" as well. With one individual even wondering if he had been knocked off following Fidel's death - a-la a serious power struggle.

That said, I don't believe Raul was assassinated. My gut just doesn't buy it. That said, something strange is going on and no one in the MSM seems to be asking the question: "Where's Raul." That has become the job of the Cuban community.

CubaWatch,

Isn't raul's absence from the public eye simply his "standard procedure." He has never been one to relish the public eye. His public speeches and appearances have always been few and far between.

Also, with fidel as the still undead figure head, raul can run the show from the shadows, with no need to appear in public. Unless you know something more than what you are able to publish here, I don't think raul's sparse public sightings are at all "suspicious."

LittleGator,

Indeed it is true that Raul's style is much more nuanced, and that he doesn't savor the limelight in the same way his brother once did. That said, now that Fidel is dead and all of Cuba is abuzz with rumors, speculation and general anxiousness, his appearance would seem absolutely necessary to maintain the status-quo. Not one image, not one piece of video - nothing.

I would remind you that during the first six months of his interim rule, Raul often appeared at public events - usually dressed in a simple sports jacket. The recent Havana book fair comes to mind. People all the capitol province are wondering why on Earth he hasn't emerged and for that reason alone, it would seem appropriate for him to prove his presence given the nature of the current situation in Cuba.

Maybe Fidel died on Friday August 17 and Raul died on Friday August 24 and no one has the authority (or balls) to make either announcement.

If Fidel's death is announced, there would be immediate pressure on Raul to come out and take charge. But, what if Raul is not around?

Anyway, great question. Where is Raul?

Guys,

There's no need to speculate. I year ago I revealed who's really running Cuba.

:-)

Forget the details. This whole affair, from beginning to end, is a complete and utter farce. It would actually be comical if it weren't so dead serious. Just step back some and look at the situation. Is this a colossal bad joke or what? The players in it don't have, can't have, one iota of dignity or self-respect in the true sense. Thy're all a bunch of buffoons, albeit perverse and malignant ones. How can anyone take this abysmally bad theater seriously?

asombra:

Well put - the word "circus" comes to mind.

Cheers,

-AB

I just found this so let's see if this PM actually meets with Raul.

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Will Begin Official Visit to Cuba

Havana, September 6 (RHC)-The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, will arrive on Thursday to Havana on an official visit to the island.

During his stay which will run until Saturday, the distinguished visitor will hold official talks with First Vice President Raul Castro and will inaugurate Trinidad and Tobago's Commercial Office in Havana, among other activities.

The DPRK sending greetings to Cuba is like an old Kaiser Manhattan waving at an Edsel as they pass each other on the way to the bone yard.

-S-

At Raul's advanced age, he's got to be wondering about who will succeed him. I imagine he also wonders about whether that person will ensure the safety of Raul's children and grandchildren. I imagine that secured golf course community must be pretty alluring to Raul in his old age.

Ahh yes, that reminds me - I have an interesting story regarding FC's children - well - not so much an entire story but an interesting tidbit - it'll most likely appear tomorrow.

I meant to say, "that secured Italian golf course community must be pretty alluring to Raul in his old age."

Who knows and WHO CARES?

I just want BOTH of them gone to the eternal crackling sauna.

I didn't see or hear if Raul met with the visiting Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. It appears from Granma that he did not. If so, where is Raul?

LongIslandCubano,

I myself am also waiting to see what appears in the media. I am doubtful anything will. Most likely, the PM will meet with some either high-level functionary the likes of Perez-Roque or Alarcon.

From Granma - Raul did meet with the officials.

GRANMA
September 8, 2007

Raul Castro Meets Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister

Raul Castro, First Vice President of the Council of State and Council of
Ministers, met Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, who
is in Cuba on an official visit.

After the solemn welcome ceremony which took place at the Palacio de la
Revolucion, Raul and Manning held official talks on different topics related
to the development of bilateral relations and to important issues on the
national and international agenda.

Also present at the meeting were Carlos Lage Davila, Secretary of the
Executive Committee of the Council of State; Felipe Perez Roque, Minister of
Foreign Affairs, and Sergio Oliva, Cuban Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago.

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

URL:
Remember me? YesNo

Comments: