Fidel Castro is having surgery and getting up in years and has assigned Cuban concerns to his Brother Raul for now.
Fidel Castro is 80 some years old now and has been in charge of Cuba since the revolution in 1959.
Fidel Castro announced this passing of torch at least temporarily in Havana recently.
But is this temporary or an end of an Era? Will Fidel Castro survive his complicated surgery procedures? Will this temporary relinquishing of power become a permanent issue? Cuba is known in Central and South America for very good medical expertise.
Raul is currently the Vice President, Defense Minister and second in charge of the party.
Raul is 75 years old.
Fidel Castro has had an incredible run as the head of his government and one of the longest in modern history and lasting through several eras.
Few doubt that Cuba will some day be free and a democracy.
It is just a matter of time really.
Although many have fled Cuba many Cubans believe Fidel Castro has done a good job in many ways; for instance in education and economics.
Fidel Castro may in fact be entering the Sunset of his reign.
Consider all this in 2006.