Feb 20, 2008 8:14 am US/Eastern
Miami Calm After Castro's Resignation
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Mixed opinions abound in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood as residents mull over the announcement by Fidel Castro that he has stepped down as Cuba's president.
While some Cuban-Americans say this is a step in the right direction, others argue that there will be no real change as long as Fidel Castro is still around.
Celebrating in front of the Versailles Restaurant on Calle Ocho, many in the small crowd hoped this would be the beginning of the end for a man who has caused so much pain and anguish for almost half a century.
"49 years, we are getting close," said Xavier Salvat, "we are not there yet, but we are getting close. It's definitely a step in the right direction."
In Havana, Cuba on Tuesday, newscasters on state run television recited Castro's resignation letter. The resignation makes way for Fidel's brother Raul to assume the presidency when Cuba's National Assembly meets on Sunday.
On the streets of Little Havana, U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart offered a cautionary note.
"Who holds the power, the absolute power, regardless of what title he may give himself on a given day is Fidel Castro. Until he is out of the picture, he will continue to hold that power within that regime," said Diaz-Balart.
Fidel Castro ceded power temporarily to his brother Raul in July, 2006 after undergoing intestinal surgery. Raul Castro has hinted at the need for change to repair the broken Cuban economy, but has done little. The demands he will face if the long standing U.S. embargo is to be lifted will not be silent at least in Miami.
"The press, the labor unions, the political parties and then calling for free supervised elections," said Diaz-Balart, "once that happens, the sanctions go away."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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