Time Magazine says King Fidel has Cancer

the speculation continues with Time joining the fray. according to Time, US intelligence is now saying that King Fidel has terminal cancer and will not return to power. Cuban officials insist he is returning, but they would of course say this for the sake of stability within the country.

the Castro brothers are old conspirators, and they know that time is the key to any assumption of power. the more time you have to carry it out, the more secure you can become before having to face your enemies. the longer Fidel remains alive and rumored to be returning to power, the longer that anyone waiting to make a move will have to wait (no one will do that while there is a chance Fidel will return; his hold on power is simply that strong).

in the meantime, Prince Regent Raul continues to assert his new position, including re-shuffling of key positions to put his people in place. Raul has also been making alliances with nationalists within the Army and the Cuban Communist Party. all in all, he seems on track for someone who is consolidating his power base.

he has said that King Fidel will hold a session with students in December, so i guess we will have to wait and see:

Cuba's interim president, Raul Castro, has denied reports that his older brother is dying, saying Fidel is constantly improving, and that he will hold a special session with student delegates in December.

Meanwhile, Raul Castro, 75, has had a number of public appearances recently, in contrast to the first weeks after Fidel's surgery. He appeared at a youth meeting Sunday, and he delivered his first nationally televised domestic speech two weeks ago.

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