Readers, Castro has possibly passed away or is about. That is why he has resigned . Good keeps this honorable leader a place in the heaven!!! juan Spain

juan, badajoz, spain

Actually, the more visitors to Cuba with U.S. dollars, the better. Flood the economy with foreign money and it'll be awful difficult to centrally control it. If Bush is serious about encouraging democracy in Cuba (and I'm not sure he is as he does not want to alienate the Cuban refugees), the best thing President Bush can do is allow Americans to travel again to Cuba.

And Mike from Canada is not representative of the majority of Canadians views on Cuba. And America cannot boycott Canadian products as Canadian products are resources that cannot do without (oil, gas, fertilizer, wood).

Dalton, Toronto, Canada

Could you possibly wish for a smoother transistion of power than the Communist model? I mean, look at the Kims in North Korea. Not a shot fired except in salutation. I envy them.

The inciting Revolucions, of course, are more on the order of genocide. But like Vladimir Lenin said, "in order to make an omelet you have to break a few eggs." Breakfast with Che, anyone?

JohnnyT, Nashua , NH USA

The White House is worried about a few Cubans leaving Cuba for the U.S. after Communism falls? There's something more behind that policy. Why aren't they as worried about the millions of illegal Mexicans crossing the border??

They're not worried about a mass exodus from Cuba.

Its a religious policy! Think.

Name, Las Vegas,

I lived in cuba for a while, fidel stepping down is the best thing that can happen for that country. ordinary cubans live in near-poverty, hopefully a change in leadership can result in a better quality of life for all involved.

Jonny, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Dan, you'd better be careful about that one. A large part of the motivation behind the Communist revolution in the first place was the resentment over the way America treated the island like one big Las Vegas.

JJV, I went there once and met quite a few Americans who 'snuck in' from Mexico to enjoy a holiday. They were being very careful about using credit cards etc because the jail sentence back home for visting a Cuban beach is a little extreme, so they tell me. Ok, I know it would probably never be enforced, but it's still a big stick to wave around.

Ronnie, London, UK

I just cannot believe the Cubans are going to be so dense as to allow another unelected interloper govern them.
Get in the real world,Cubans.

alan maddox, wirral, england

Just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Dan, is a dreary police state with crumbling infrastructure your idea of fun? Somewhat like the former East Germany, but admittedly with better music and climate.

Tim, Lexington, Kentucky

"Until recently, few people would have imagined that Raúl Castro would be seen as Cuba’s best hope for reform."

More precisely, does mankind and the world have a choice? At the moment it doesn't appear that we do, which means the country could be about to face a very uncertain and volatile future.

Might Mr. Stone and/or Mr. Asner be available to assist -- along with many of their other Hollywood malcontents, dissatisfied with life in the USA?

Ah, the joys of a life in a totalitarian state and the prospects that lie within.

Pat Henry

bristol mercheson, canton, usa / ohio

aeskylos,
Are you serious? The Cuban people did not choose communism; Castro and his henchmen forced it on the people of Cuba, eliminating their freedoms, taking away their property, preventing them from leaving the country, killing his political opponents, and thrusting the country into a 50-year depression, during which the rest of the civilized world leapt ahead economically while the Cubans wallow far behind the rest of the world. Educate yourself, man!

larri3, Farmington, UT

The embargo should end, and not just so we can get good cigars. I want to go to Havana...it sounds like it is quite the fun party scene! It could be our new Vegas, but with hopefully less fat midwestern tourists stumbling around!

Dan Torkelson, Santa Cruz, CA

Finally, the so-called "free education" and "free health care" are only free for the invalids of the country. Everyone else is forced to work for the government, without the ability to own any property or have any savings. So, with this line of thinking, it could be argued that the slaves in America's deep south had free education (they were taught their trade) and free health care as well.... I think not.

Why do you think Venezuela's Chavez gives $2 Billion a year to Cuba... not out of the kindness of his heart as this article seems to imply! Cuba sends newly graduated Cuban doctors, against their will, to the mountains and villages of Venezuela to work for free their. Married doctors are forced to leave their spouses and children behind for 2 years at a time. There are many female doctors who are sent alone to the mountains in Venezuela to be raped by the ignorant indiginous people there.
The people of Cuba do not have a voice, and the journalists do not tell the whole story.

Carmen, Miami, Florida

The one point that the protaganist of the embargo are failing consider is, what was the state of Cuba before the revolution?

History clearly tells us that it was America's back yard and play ground where the mafia did as they pleased, the Cuban people were oppressed especially the blacks.

If Cuba was such a great place before the revolution it would not have lasted so long, and even with an embargo, countless of unsuccessful assination attempts of Castro, Cuba still has a higher litteracy rate than the US, one of,if not the highest mortality rates, a properly functioning health sector, the only country that I know of that exports Doctors and nurses to other countries in need of their expertise.

Yes, Cuba is not a democracy, but, as far as I'm concerned there is no true democracy except that found in the dictionary, as you Americans can testify to I'm quite sure.
In conclusion, for all the bad that Castro has done I think history will absolve him of it all.

George Gregory, London, England

Uhm Mr. Menendez, That happened during the the Carter disaster of an administration. Get your facts straight.

Carlos, Union City, NJ

Hmmm, Carlos...So it's Reagan's fault because Castro released the real criminals from prisons rather than those who should have been released...No, actually, I think we need to hold the person responsible who actually did that - that would be Castro.

Dray, Triad, USA

During the Cuban missle crisis, Castro, according to the Soviety military attache, suggested that the Soviets should launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike. Why doesn't anyone hold this against him? .....The only intellectuals who are dependably anti-communist come from Eastern Europe and Cuba.

william, nyc usa,

You go, John May! I particularly like reading common sense comments by people from liberal states, states such as California and Massachusetts.
Why do people insist on making Americans the bad guys? And why do people insist on portraying Castro as a hero? Could anything be further from the truth? I just don't get it...

Jill, Stoneham, Ma

This addressed to Carlos Menendez. Please feel free to re-write history all you want but it was ACTUALLY Jimmy Carter that had the Cuban prisoners transferred to Miami.
Thanks for showing your "intelligence".

Rob, Rochester, NY

Hey Josh from Ohio,
What is your point? Is is immoral to conduct trade with less than moral countries? It's lonely at the top and we have to trade with the world. Are you blaming us for santioning Cuba who almost blew us up? I'm glad the Monroe Doctrinue is in full use. We needed it then and now. Castro destroyed Cuba on his own. What a testimant for the failure such as Communism!
John May
San Juan Capistrano, CA

John May, san juan capistrano, CA

As a non-socialist,free thinking Canadian I am more than embarrassed by the statements of my fellow so-called Canadians.They see no similarity between their reasoning and that of the thousands of North American and European tourists who flocked to Batista's Cuban resorts in order to be waited on,hand and foot,by ordinary cubans.Then they come back to Canada with many tales of how happy these hotel staff were to have the chance to serve them in every way ,and quickly too,Much as it was in pre-revolution days,I suspect.That's what drinking too much antifreeze will do to you.

w.spencer, Kitchener, canada

Carlos Menendez, Miami, USA said: "P.S. During the Reagan Administration, Saint Ronnie demanded that Fidel open up his prisons which Castro gladly did. He sent all of his murderers, rapists and general lunatics over to Miami on a flotila of boats. Now you know why we have so many problems in Florida"

Wrong. That happened during the Jimmy Carter administration: "The Mariel Boatlift was a mass movement of Cubans who departed from Cuba's Mariel Harbor for the United States between April 15 and October 31, 1980." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariel_boatlift

D.E. Thomas, Concord, CA

My apologies to the English people for the posting by the bonehead from Miami. His comment is typical of the knee-jerk responses of Americans who are misinformed, uneducated and simply too lazy to look up the facts on wikipedia. I don't consider Reagan a saint, so I'm not here to defend him, but I am here to say that the Mariel boatlift took place during the Carter administration, ending in October 1980. Visit wikipedia and search for Mariel or mariel boatlift.

And have a nice day.

Nigel, Los Angeles, California

Carlos Menendez:

"P.S. During the Reagan Administration, Saint Ronnie demanded that Fidel open up his prisons which Castro gladly did. He sent all of his murderers, rapists and general lunatics over to Miami on a flotila of boats. Now you know why we have so many problems in Florida".

If you are referring to the Mariel boatlift, that was Carter.

Steve R, Arlington, TX

Nobody cares about Cuba except political zealots. Sincerely, a concerned American

David, Oklahoma City,

My apologies to the English people. Drudge posted a link to this so you will have to suffer the knuckledraggers from over here. Maybe you will get an idea of what the intelligent half of America has to put up with.

P.S. During the Reagan Administration, Saint Ronnie demanded that Fidel open up his prisons which Castro gladly did. He sent all of his murderers, rapists and general lunatics over to Miami on a flotila of boats. Now you know why we have so many problems in Florida

Carlos Menendez, Miami, USA

The only difference between Castro and all the other dictators the US has done business with is that the Cuban markets have remained closed. 40 years of no trade with Cuba while the US has gladly allowed commerce with the Shah's Iran, Saddam's Iraq, any number of the 'Stans, China...Saudia Arabia! Egypt. Pakistan. Cuba's a piker with only 200 political prisoners, how many political prisoners are locked up in Pakistan alone, do you think?
This whole Cuban fiasco the past 40 years as been about the Monroe Doctrine. Cuba is considered part and property of the US, and it will be punished until some pro-business dictator is running the shots down there.
And hey, Dale, tell me what the Platt amendment is.
And those people 'suffering' in Miami should get over it, especially if they happen to be the families of and actual members of either the Batista regime and/or people who used to run all those businesses and farms owned by outside Cuban interests.

Josh, Warren, Ohio

Hahahaha, all these posters somehow bringing the Democrats or liberals into this. Don't you people have anything else to think about? America is pretty evenly split down party lines, but we're Americans first and if you don't think so they you're no very American at all. We are the UNITED States of America after all. Let's act like it instead of throwing words like "liberal" and "conservative" around like racial slurs.

Pam, Washington, D.C.

To Derek, Seattle, USA:

Um, are you suggesting Americans should stop travelling to destinations in this world where some people might say bad things about Americans?

Hate to disappoint you here, but... You've just limited your list of potential travel spots by a couple hundred countries!

Frank, Ottawa, Canada

Perhaps if Cuba repays (plus interest) the millions it stole from the American banks and businesses it nationalized in order to fund it's little Communist utopia, then we can discuss lifting the embargo.

Larry, Seattle, WA

Is Cuba frightened of America? Wouldn't you be? Check out Iraq and Kosovo.The wolf is at the door. Do you wonder why Castro curbs the press? Probably every tenth Cuban is a CIA employee. I wish this country would mind its own business.We could have been buying from, selling to and vacationing in Cuba by now if we had sane leaders. What difference does it make if they want communism?

aeskylos, buffalo, Niagara NY

When the regime falls, the atrocities that have been committed against the Cuban people by the Castro government must be brought to attention, and then subsequently brought to trial. We must also be ready to move quickly to intercept the large caches of chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction that the regime has been clandestinely working on, before they are proliferated. What about the nukes that the Russians "supposedly" removed during the missile crisis? Cuba is a dangerous regime at its end. We must stay vigilant now more than ever.

Alan, Washington D.C., USA

The Embargo is useless, end it...the Cuban people will benefit more by having Americans there and hunger for freedom more as well.

Mike, Sparta, Illinois

Mike from Canada says the world needs a vacation spot where Americans can't go?

How about we all spend less time in Canada and less money when we have no choice but to head north to that slightly strange country.

And boycott Canadian products wherever you can. That will leave less money for Mike and his Canadian buddies to lavish on their Cuban vacations. That way we kills two bids with one stone.

Derek, Seattle, USA

Viva Fidel!

Gabriel Corona, Vancouver,

Odd how embargoes were `just fine' to `contain' Iraq, Iran, NK, South Africa....
The US embargo hasn't hurt the Cubans, Castro has hurt the Cubans.

Dale W, Pleasanton, CA

Tom from MS: It is the Cuban dictatorship that will not let free speech into Cuba. Successive U.S. administrations have worked to support the cause of free speech in Cuba.

Joe, Brooklyn, NY

Remember the fall of the USSR? Remember the fall of the myriad former Warsaw Pact communist countries? How did that come about? Could it be leaders from free countries having the courage of their convictions? Read Thatcher, Pope John Paul and mainly Ronald Reagan. Remember what they didn't do? They didn't compromise. They wouldn't deal. Review the history of the S.A.L.T. treaty between Reagan and Gorbachev in Reykeyavic (I think I misspelled that). Reagan was tempted but walked away. Millions were freed. The economy of the USSR collapsed. Love the Cubans enough to repeat history using what's worked. They have suffered long enough. If their family members in Miami hadn't sent them billions of US dollars they would have starved.

Cynthia Moak, San Antonio, TX USA

The embargo has only hurt the people for decades. It is continued because of the hate some have for one man and the heck with whoever it may hurt, it's the principle! Bull
Let free speech in, it will change things faster then starving the people.

Tom, southaven, MS

This is in response to Mike of Ontario, Canada. How's that Big Brother, state run health care system of yours? Do you still have to wait 9 months to get an MRI? Or, do you run to America to get it done right away, then fill out mounds of paper work to get reimbursed a year or two later? By the way, haven't I seen you here in our casinos?

Richard, Las Vegas, USA

"Hey U.S.,
Leave Cuba alone, the world needs a vacation spot where Americans can't go.
That's all the world needs, Big Big brother creating another mess."

Mike;

Hi Mike, "Cuab is not a vacation spot". There are people there who deserve the freedom you enjoy in Canada. I find it highly insulting that all you care about is a place to relax from the horrible winter cold in your country.

These people were not born to serve you in a hotel, they deserve better. Your attitude towards Cuba just shows how some people outside the island are part of the problem, and how they just don't care about Cubans and their future. All they care about is making sure their "vacation spot" is undisturbed and that they can keep exploiting the people of the island for their own enjoyment.

Augusto, Tampa, FL

Poor people of Cuba, moving forward nothing will change. Another 50 years of dictatorship and hardship. Can you image being ruled by the same goverment for almost half a decade?

Manny, Miami, Fl

Mike the Canadien dude your jealous come on say it be honest, I feel sorry for you to be so misunderstood. America has its faults and the list can be long. In a free society here in America YOU choose to work hard go to school, earn a degree and make good money, be happy. I love this country and I will always will I want you to know that Canada is a friend to me personally, in 1984 I was in Vancover in a car accident a blown out tire, my car flipped and I was pinned under the car. A group of students Canadien risked their lives to pull me out of my car it was on fire. 24 years later my canadien brothers and sisters we have shared birthdays, weddings, and im very happy to say im a uncle to 4 great kids by these wonderful people. We dont always agree but in our hearts compassion is more powerful than politics, Cuba is a dictatorship where people are killed for not attending parades, how can anyone defend a dictatorship? here in America we vote evry 4 years and our vote counts. God bless

jeff, anaheim, USA

Those who say we should end the embargo don't understand the rationale behind it. This is NOTHING like China, Russia, or Vietnam. First, they are not in our Hemisphere and 90 miles from our shore. Second, they are not an exporter of anti-American OVERT actions in our Hemisphere. And Cuba allowed Russia to put nuclear missiles aimed at us just 90 miles away. When it's in your backyard, you can't just play nice.

boB, Sunrise, Fl

Is the guy from Canada serious? Haha

Jeff, New York City,

can't help thinking i want to get to cuba before starbucks opens

mount, dorset, gb

I think the world should remember that while Cuba may be a cheap tourist destination for Europeans and Canadians (the largest group that visit Cuba), the Gov't under Castro has prevented freedom of the press and jails anyone who opposes him. It is not a benign dictatorship as many would like to believe (Many Canadians hold this wrong vision of Cuba). Visit if you like, but be realistic about the country that you are visiting.

Like others, I believe that embargoes are are waste of time and only punish the people. If the people in Cuba want democracy, they will need to rally for it. A risk, but one worth taking at this moment in their history.

Dalton, Toronto, Canada

It is the non stop tripe from the left about accepting socialism and working wih it as an alternative form of government that has caused our problems over seas. Many of the revolutions that took place only did so because of Russian and Chinese funding. Cuba was no different. Without the Russian nanny state Cuba has almost collapsed. This is a mirror of Vietnam and now Iraq. Without the foreign money and guns to the insurgents a peaceful government could be established, but the left of our country only see us as the "Foreigners". Cuba will fall. It will change and become the tropical paradise it could be when the old communists in their government die. If they had another revolution today, the leftists in our government would send aide to Raul so he could stay in power.

Shane hanson, Boise, Idaho

I'll bet that Raul is waiting for a Dem to get in the White House so that Cuba wil get U.S. aid .

G. Chun, Mililani, United States

Yes, communism will eventually die out in Cuba, if not under Raul Castro. He is 76 after all. The country has been open to tourism for some time, but mainly to Europe and it is a lovely place to visit, in spite of its generally run down condition. The people are very friendly and helpful and they are not out to rip you off. The American tourists will definately help if they are allowed in. Sadly, a Spanish criuse line which were regular visitors to Cuba - has been sold to American cruise line, Royal Carribean - and are no longer allowed to visit.

JohnB, Malaga, Spain

Hey U.S.,
Leave Cuba alone, the world needs a vacation spot where Americans can't go.
That's all the world needs, Big Big brother creating another mess.

Mike, Ontario, Canada

Vive Fidel. Vive la Revolution. Down with American imperialistic propaganda.

John Matthews, Anaheim, CA USA

For all the people whom Castro represent their most ardents dreams I am willing to suggest specially for some of the citizens of the United States of America, who adore him so much and doing it without shame, to forget about the new comming elections and declared President Bush The Maximun Leader of the USA then the Left can celebrate our New World Order for another 50 more years.....What is good for Castro should be good for any Leader of the Western World.

Martha, CT, USA

Well with Fidel it is the devil you know and with Raul it is the devil you don't know. Time will tell.

Rollie , Lakeside Park, Ky

Would the point be...CAPITALISM works!?? You don't say?!!...Now that would be original!

Don't say that outloud...because it would really emarrass the liberal socialists of the world-they want their Capitalism WITHOUT the capital- they're legends in their own mind , you know.

Matt B, MN, USA

I'm tired of hearing that we should end the embargo. the fact is the only reason the embargo is still in place is that the political party that normalizes relations with Cuba while the Castros are in power will lose the Florida electoral vote. and lets not forget that every other country in the world has relations with Cuba, and there people are still dirt poor. The problem is not with the lake of U.S. dollars but with there own failed system.

G, bellingham , Washington

Recall that it was Raul who first made friends with the KGB, in 1953, and introduced Fidel to his contact.

Joe DiFrances, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I sure hope we aren't dumb enough (hear that Mr. Bush?) to rush in with foreign aid to prop up these dictators! Until they are overthrown, we must not enable them with our dollars and support.

El Gato, Brookfield, WI

Change will NOT be instigated by enriching the coffers of the Communist State with American tourist dollars or our trade dollars.

Despite the glowing write ups of the lib press about the "idyllic" life Cubans live, they have little to nothing and live in poverty for the most part. In time they will tire of it and Cuba, like the Soviet Union and other Communist nations which have either totally failed or else severely modified there governments, will also be forced to change and embrace capitalism.

You will notice that we have NEVER seen an individual sneak INTO Cuba but have seen countless thousands risk their lives to escape from the "socialist paradise".

JJV, Mahwah, USA

The person from Miami is correct. Embargoes have little to no effect on a hardline regime. Only the people suffer. There are numerous examples around the world of this, including Iran, Iraq (prewar), North Korea, and ofcourse Cuba.

To solve the issue, the US should open up relations with Cuba like China and let the American tourist naturally open up the eyes of the Cuban people. Tyranny will not last forever when millions of Americans are flooding the streets.

We are too reliant upon free speech to keep our mouths shut. Unless the Cuban milita has an AK47 pointed at our heads. A likely scencario

Cory, Dallas, TX, USA

Enough already. Change in Cuba will not come as a result
of the embargo. It will be as a result of small inch by inch
improvments. Today, we do business with China, Russia,
Vietnam and eyes even N. Korea sworn enemies of the
U.S, even today.Unlike, his brother Raul is a businessman. This was seen when the collapse of the Soviet Union, cut the subsidies and raul converted Military Aircrafts into Aircrafts
for tourisim. No tourist is better received or needed in Cuba, than the U.S. Tourist. The U.S. tourist, will by default instigate
reform, change etc.... The Memebers of the Party arn't hurting as a result of the embargo, the People are the true victims.
Blow the doors wide open! Those in Miami which support the Embargo, do so with stomachs that are full, essential neccessaties of life and family taken care of. It's time, The brother favoring Idealogy has resigned, the Brother with broader "business Vision" is now in charge.
It's time for triage, stop the bleeding.

Ljr, Miami, Florida