Bush urges Cubans to 'work for democracy' in absence of Castro
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.George Bush called on Cubans yesterday to work for democratic change in their Communist-ruled country, in an overt call for change after Fidel Castro temporarily relinquished power because of illness.
President Bush's first public statement since the temporary hand-over of power to Fidel's brother, Raul, on Monday was bound to anger Cuba's Communist Party, which has long accused the US of interference in Cuban affairs.
The US President promised full and unconditional support to those on the Caribbean island seeking democracy, adding: "We have repeatedly said that the Cuban people deserve to live in freedom."
The Communist Party emphasised that it would stay in control no matter what happened to Fidel, but failed to settle doubts over who was in charge of the island. In a typically cryptic message, the main Communist newspaper, Granma, printed part of an old speech by Raul, which said: "Only the Communist Party... can be the worthy heir of the trust Cubans have placed in their leader."
But there was still no sign of Fidel or his brother.
"Most people here, after 47 years of Castro's rule, are completely disassociated from the political process and have a fear of change," said one Western diplomat, who asked not to be identified. "That is certainly the message the government gives out to the people. They say, 'look at the plan that Bush has for you'. The government sees everything through the prism of the US."
The government has done what it can to persuade the Cuban people that Mr Castro's intestinal surgery is nothing serious and that he will soon return. But the statements issued by the leader himself have said that it is unclear how long his recovery will take.
Diplomats believe that Mr Castro may have undergone surgery last Monday morning and that the party hierarchy had waited until Monday evening when it was clear that he had survived the operation to make the announcement.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments