Castro Resigns

After nearly 50 years in power, Cuban leader Fidel Castro has resigned the presidency due to health concerns. Fidel Castro assumed the presidency in 1959 during the Cuban revolution. Fidel's younger brother Raul Castro is now the presumptive president, and has been the acting president since Fidel was hospitalized in 2006.

1. Raul has been the de-facto leader in Cuba for over one year
2. Castro was leader of Cuba for nearly half a century

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• YouTube Video: Fidel Castro Stepping Down as Cuban Leader (Time 0:56)
• Topix: Castro Resigns
• Google News: Castro Resigns
• The New York Times: Cubans Face a Future Without Castro (February 24, 2008)
• USATODAY.com: Castro Rejects Idea of Major Political Change (February 24, 2008)
  • "Castro said he would now lay his pen aside until lawmakers decide Sunday on his replacement as president of the island's supreme governing authority, the Council of State. Castro's 76-year-old brother Raul, the defense minister, is his constitutionally designated successor as first vice president, and is widely expected to be named president."

• WashingtonPost.com: Full Text of Fidel Castro's Resignation Letter (February 19, 2008)
• The New York Times: Fidel Castro Resigns as Cuba's President (February 19, 2008)
• Reuters: Fidel Castro Retires (February 19, 2008)
  • Castro: "To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honor in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept -- I repeat not aspire to or accept -- the positions of President of Council of State and Commander in Chief."
• BBC News: Fidel Castro announces retirement (February 19, 2008)
• CNN: Castro resigns as president, state-run paper reports (February 19, 2008)
• AFP: Castro resigns as Cuban president: official media (February 19, 2008)