Rumors that Fidel Castro has assumed room temperature

[Ed Mahmoud]

From Babalu Blog

[Ed Mahmoud]

For future reference, how does one put a thread in the OT section, as this is not really (except Cuba is in the Caribbean) a tropical topic.

[x-y-no]

Nothing on any of the local TV stations as of yet ...

[Ed Mahmoud]

Babalu Blog having intermittent problems due traffic:

Update 1531: Just got off the phone with a local Congressman's media relations person: Nothing is official, lots of buzz, no confirmation. However, was told something that may make unfortunate sense: the Cuban government has gotten us all riled up only to proudly and snidely display fidel castro in full green fatigues regalia. I know it's difficult right now, for me especially (trust me), but we need to keep our wits about us and trust only that which we can verify.

Update 1630: Server overloaded, going up and down. If server is down, please go to CubanAmericanpundits on the sidebar for further updates.

Update 1710: Comments are down, obviously, as we have been getting major traffic and the folks at Verve Hosting - bless them- are working diligently to keep us afloat. If you have any nes, coments, info or just want to say Viva Cuba Libre, you can email me at the adddress on the sidebar or valprieto - at - gmail - dot -com.

As of right now, there is no official confirmation from the Cuban government or any US agency, although numerous sources in numerous branches of US agencies have confirmed the title of this post as true. Stay with us. We'll definitely be here as long as we have to to see this to the end

[lurkey]

Cuba Foreign Minister Says Castro Health Rumors Untrue

POSTED: 8:37 am EDT August 24, 2007
UPDATED: 5:09 pm EDT August 24, 2007

U.S. Senior officials said that while there are reports on setbacks in Fidel Castro's health, there are no indications that his death is imminent.

Nothing unusual has been reported from Havana. However, Miami is ablaze with rumors, NBC News reported.

On Thursday, Cuba's foreign minister, Felipe Perez Roque, said rumors about Fidel Castro's deteriorating health are untrue. Roque told reporters in Brazil that the 81-year-old was still in charge of Cuban affairs. He said Castro is "being informed and consulted constantly."

Roque made the comments to reporters while attending the Forum for East Asia-Latin American Cooperation in Brazil.

Cubans were hoping Fidel would make a public appearance during his birthday celebrations nearly two weeks ago.

Castro has not been seen in public for over a year since he transferred power to his brother after surgery.

[DanKellFla]

This happens all the time. One day, the rumors will be correct. Maybe 10 years ago, some guy came on the radio and announced that he was in control of Cuba. I can't believe I can't remember his name, he was a big deal.

[HURAKAN]

If Catro dies, nothing will change in the island because he hasn't been in control since he passed his powers to his brother, Raul Castro, on July 31st, 2006. The transition people have waited for so many years has already happened. I guess Cubans may have expected a change after Castro's death, but that's not happening. I went to Cuba last month and Raul is ruling. Nothing has changed and nothing will change until the people revolt and take the power from the Communists. Blood and lives will have to be shed in there is going to be a change.

[DanKellFla]

Blood and lives will have to be shed in there is going to be a change.

I hope you are wrong. Maybe U.S. policy will change and we will invade the country slowly with Levis, Coca-Cola, Fords and an increased standard of living. Look at China. Mao wouldn't recognise the country. Hopefully, with time, the same thing can be accomplished in Cuba without bloodshed from the masses.

[HURAKAN]

Blood and lives will have to be shed in there is going to be a change.

I hope you are wrong. Maybe U.S. policy will change and we will invade the country slowly with Levis, Coca-Cola, Fords and an increased standard of living. Look at China. Mao wouldn't recognise the country. Hopefully, with time, the same thing can be accomplished in Cuba without bloodshed from the masses.

The current government will not allow American companies to invest in Cuba.

[DanKellFla]

Still nothing official.

I know. But Raul isn't immortal. Maybe the next leader will be more realistic. I can have hope. Honestly, I can't believe how long this regime has lasted without the USSR. It boggles the mind.

[flwxwatcher]

If Catro dies, nothing will change in the island because he hasn't been in control since he passed his powers to his brother, Raul Castro, on July 31st, 2006. The transition people have waited for so many years has already happened. I guess Cubans may have expected a change after Castro's death, but that's not happening. I went to Cuba last month and Raul is ruling. Nothing has changed and nothing will change until the people revolt and take the power from the Communists. Blood and lives will have to be shed in there is going to be a change.

Your right and I have heard that Raul is more ruthless then Fidel was.

[Ptarmigan]

Rumors can't be trusted.

[artist]

Blood and lives will have to be shed in there is going to be a change.

I hope you are wrong. Maybe U.S. policy will change and we will invade the country slowly with Levis, Coca-Cola, Fords and an increased standard of living. Look at China. Mao wouldn't recognise the country. Hopefully, with time, the same thing can be accomplished in Cuba without bloodshed from the masses.

The current government will not allow American companies to invest in Cuba.

It isn't just this President - it hs been this way for many, many years.

[Brent]

I wonder if we'll ever really know for sure... with his brother in power(and having been for over a year now), they could easily just hide the news. I do think if he's not already dead, then he will be soon.

[Dionne]

Did y'all know the U.S. Coast Guard has a plan in place, ready to go operational when Fidel dies? The concern is that alot of the Cuban expats in south Florida will take to the water and head home. God only knows what will happen! Can you imagine what Miami will be like when his death is confirmed?

[DanKellFla]

Instead of a 'Death Watch' we get to wait for the video of Fidel. Now we have a 'Life Watch.'

I think that Raul has kidnapped some Disney Animatronic Engineers and now Fidel is just a stuffed commie monkey.

[HURAKAN]

I wonder if we'll ever really know for sure... with his brother in power(and having been for over a year now), they could easily just hide the news. I do think if he's not already dead, then he will be soon.

I agree. Knowing Fidel's character, meaning, the way he behaves, if he were able to just stand up and talk to the public, he will do it in a heart bit to show he is OK. But since July 26, 2005, we have not seen Fidel in public, which shows the fact that he is sick, and most likely, mortally sick. If anyone remembers when he fell and broke a hand and his knee, the night after he was in the TV talking and saying that everything was OK.

I have always believed that the transition was going to be done the way it was done. Fidel passes his powers to his brother and stays behind the curtain.

The question will be what will happen after Raúl dies. He is already 75 years old and the last of the Revolutionaries that came down from the Sierra Maestra mountains to take the power from Batista's hands.

[TexasSam]

I wonder if Castro will die again this Friday (08/31/07) from rumors?