King Fidel a No-Show

... on the military parade to celebrate his (belated) 80th birthday, King Fidel was missing.

Prince Regent Raul gave a saber-rattling speech about Cuba's military being "invincible" (something even he does not believe, being the realist that he is), and then made an offer of dialogue to the United States.

the speech was directed at the Cuban people: Fidel or no Fidel, the regime goes on. it was also directed at the United States: we'll talk, but on our terms.


Prince Regent Raul waves a
Cuban flag during the celebrations


The celebrations came to an end, and King Fidel continues to ail. many Cubans now believe he will never return to lead them.

the best expression of the day was an old man interviewed by the New York Times:

“The old man is as weak as me,” said the man, in his 70s, who sells copies of the Communist Party newspaper from the wheelchair he has used since losing a leg to gangrene. “I will outlast him.”

thus the fate of tyrants: the people they oppress always outlast them, and they get to have the last word.