| Cuban President Fidel Castro has outlasted no fewer | | | | exiles in Florida. |
| than nine American presidents during his nearly five | | | | Indeed, for some in the exile community in South |
| decade rule in Cuba. In fact, Castro has ruled Cuba | | | | Florida, the death of Fidel Castro may mean that |
| for such a long period of time that more than three | | | | Cuba and the United States will turn the clock back |
| quarters of the Cuban people have known no other | | | | to the nineteen fifties and become allies once again. |
| leader. | | | | For others, it may mean political and economic |
| The country used to be prosperous and the world's | | | | changes that may indicate a move toward |
| largest producer of sugar, but the decades of | | | | democracy on the island. For some Cubans, it may |
| Castro's rule have been a disaster for the Cuban | | | | mean the chance to leave Cuba and join their |
| economy. Today, Cuba is a poor country with an | | | | relatives or friends in Miami. To others in Cuba it may |
| economy dependent on agriculture and tourism. It | | | | mean a chance to make a brand of socialism work if |
| has shortages in food, fuel, clothing, and books. Fidel | | | | the United States lifts its current embargo which |
| Castro embraced the Soviet Union as a trading | | | | limits economic advancement on the island. |
| partner years ago and Cuba has suffered financially | | | | However, change may not occur very quickly after |
| since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Cubans refer | | | | Fidel Castro dies. The dictator has already turned |
| to these difficult times as the "Special Period". | | | | over power to his brother Raul Castro. Also, two of |
| For the economy to improve, new trading partners | | | | Castro's sons are gaining favorable press coverage in |
| and revenue sources need to be uncovered. Tourism | | | | the Cuban media and appear to be in line at some |
| has been increasing in Cuba, but it is an industry held | | | | point, for succession to the dictator's brother. |
| back by the Cuban government's horrible human | | | | For the United States, the death of Fidel Castro |
| rights record and inherent government corruption. | | | | could mean a dramatic shift in its policy toward Cuba. |
| The United States has an embargo on Cuba that has | | | | The U.S. embargo should be lifted since it has not |
| been in place for forty four years which also limits | | | | worked as leverage for Fidel Castro to improve |
| Cuban economic growth and tourism. | | | | human rights over the years. With Fidel Castro gone, |
| In July 2006, President Castro underwent emergency | | | | the time is right for the United States to change |
| intestinal surgery and has not attended any public | | | | policy toward its island neighbor. |
| events since. In recent days, rumors have intensified | | | | With time, economic improvement and reform, Cuba |
| that Castro's death is near. The death of Castro | | | | can be a vibrant centerpiece of tourism in the |
| could dramatically impact the relationship between | | | | Caribbean. The death of Fidel Castro can be the |
| Cuba and the United States and provide more | | | | catalyst for change. A Cuba without Fidel Castro, is |
| opportunity and hope for Cubans and for Cuban | | | | an opportunity for a better tomorrow for the island. |