Cuba

HAVANA (CBS4) ― Cuban-Americans wasted no time reacting to the news that Fidel Castro has stepped down from power. While some lined the streets of Little Havana to speculate about future changes that will happen in Cuba, they didn't express any optimism that those changes would take place anytime soon.

The Cuban government quietly made Castro's resignation letter public in the online version of Granma, the Cuban Communist Party newsletter, well after midnight Havana time.

Word of his resignation letter was first reported in the US shortly before 3 am, but most people got the news as they awakened.

But while many expected the streets of Calle Ocho to be packed with revelers who have waited years to hear that Fidel was not longer in power, the news that he had stepped down was met with a yawn and a shrug. 

"Castro resigned but his brother stayed, so what is the difference?" asked Fernando Gonzalez.

He was one of a group of men playing at Domino Park, where it seems things didn't skip a beat upon hearing the news.

At Versailles, the iconic Little Havana restaurant which is famous as a political power spot, Miami police quietly took up positions on the street as the first customers started to arrive. Most seemed underwhelmed with the announcement. Only a handful of stood outside the restaurant all day waving signs.

Customers lining up for a cafecito told CBS4's Sharrie Williams that they were not sure what Fidel Castro's resignation would actually mean. Most early-risers were reluctant to speculate, as information from Cuba was sparse beyond Castro's letter.

"Happy that Fidel Castro is stepping aside, but we rather see him drop dead ant not just resign," said Cuban-American, Emilio Vazquez. He caused a lot of pain and killed a lot of people, so resigning is not what we wanted."

"Nothing changed," said Armando Garcia as he waited for his coffee at Versailles. "Nothing's any different."

Ulises Colina said he didn't think the news would bring any change. He claimed only the military in Cuba could change the government, and it won't.

CBS4 Cuba Expert Brian Latell was more direct. "Castro's done," he said on CBS4 News This Morning. But Latell said people should not count Fidel out just yet.

"Fidel Castro, 81 years old, now gravely disabled, ceding power finally, still has an incredible amount of influence."

One concern about the end of Fidel's hold on Cuba's presidency among governmental leaders in South Florida is the possibility of a mass exodus from the island when Castro's control ends. Latell said he doesn't think that will happen because Fidel resigned.

"As long as the regime remains stable, as long as law and order is preserved, I don't think we'll be seeing a mass migration.

On learning the news that Castro had resigned, Governor Charlie Crist issued the following statement:

"Today I join Cubans on both sides of the Florida Straits in recognizing the official resignation of Fidel Castro as President of Cuba. Americans - and Floridians especially - continue to stand in solidarity with the Cuban people as they remain under the oppression of the Castro regime. Regrettably, this dictatorship continues through the succession of power to Raul Castro, and as Floridians, we must continue to call for free and democratic elections in Cuba, freedom for all political prisoners and respect for all human rights as detailed in the Geneva Conventions."

Cuba has been stable under the guidance of Raul Castro, Fidel's slightly younger brother. At 76, he was handed the reins of Cuba's government as a caretaker while Fidel recovered. Now, with recovery looking ever more unlikely, Raul may assume the top job in his own right when Cuba's elected officials meet Sunday to formally select a President.

Many in South Florida's exile community believe Raul at Cuba's helm will mean a continuation of Castro's policies.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)