Transfer of Power Well Underway

the (postponed) celebrations for King Fidel's 80th birthday will start this Thursday, ending with a military parade that King Fidel may (or may not) attend.

really, the point is moot. King Fidel, as last month's video shows, will not be in any shape to lead the country for a long time to come ... if he ever does again.

and that point is also moot ... it is clear that Prince Regent Raul has moved into power, put his people in key places, and set out to imprint Cubaland's governance with his own style: low key, behind the scenes, but absolutely ruthless if he needs to be (his recent round of firings of leading officials is a clear reminder of that).

so ... as several news sources have pointed out, Raul is in charge, and he is taking charge.

whether Fidel shows up on Sunday is just window dressing. there can only be one dictator in a dictatorship, and that man is Raul ... while I firmly believe that Raul would hand power back to Fidel should Fidel be in a position to ask for it, every day that Raul spends in charge of Cubaland lessens the possibility that Raul will think his brother is in a position to ask for his power back.

ah, the fate of dictators...

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