Reporter, Miami Herald
Reporter for the Miami Herald, covering the Cuban exile community and Cuban politics
PROFILE
Oscar Corral
Guest
FROM Oscar Corral
Which Way, L.A.?
Fidel Castro Says He’s Stepping Down After 49 years as the leader of Communist Cuba, Fidel Castro has stepped down . Less than a week before the National Assembly will meet to select a new head of state, Castro says he is no longer “in the physical condition" to run the government, but expressed confidence in “elements of the old guard" and “others who were very young when the first stage of the revolution began." Speaking from Africa today, George W. Bush called for the release of political prisoners . The resignation of the 81-year old leader, who served during the terms of ten US presidents, is big news in the streets of Miami, where Cuban refugees and their descendents dominate local politics. Will Castro's brother, Raul, continue Cuba's current regime or will a younger generation embrace democracy as the US demands?
To the Point
Fidel Castro Says He's Stepping Down After 49 years as the leader of Communist Cuba, Fidel Castro has stepped down . Less than a week before the National Assembly will meet to select a new head of state, Castro says he is no longer “in the physical condition" to run the government, but expressed confidence in “elements of the old guard" and “others who were very young when the first stage of the revolution began." Speaking from Africa today, George W. Bush called for the release of political prisoners . The resignation of the 81-year old leader, who served during the terms of ten US presidents, is big news in the streets of Miami, where Cuban refugees and their descendents dominate local politics. Will Castro's brother, Raul, continue Cuba's current regime or will a younger generation embrace democracy as the US demands?
To the Point
Luis Posada Free on Bail Pending Immigration Trial Luis Posada has been released on bail by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, despite his being wanted in both Cuba and Venezuela. They call him a terrorist. Cuban exiles in Miami call him a freedom fighter. A Bay of Pigs veteran who served time for trying to kill Fidel Castro, the 79-year former CIA operative has boasted of deadly bombings in Havana hotels and allegedly masterminded the bombing of a Cuban airplane that killed 73 people. American Customs and the Justice Department wanted him held for immigration violations. Oscar Corral reports for the Miami Herald .
To the Point
Congressional Frustration in Fidel Castro's Cuba Fidel Castro's health is a state secret in Cuba, but acting leader Raul Castro--Fidel's brother--has twice made overtures for negotiations with the United States. The US has maintained an embargo against its Communist neighbor for almost 50 years, and the current Bush Administration has tightened restriction on travel and remittances sent home by Cuban refugees. Last week, in response to Raul Castro's offers, 10 members of Congress spent three days in Havana. But their request to meet with Raul himself was denied.
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