Fidel Castro: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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Line 291: {{Quote box|width=25em|align=left|bgcolor=#ACE1AF|quote="We do not have a smidgen of capitalism or neo-liberalism. We are facing a world completely ruled by neo-liberalism and capitalism. This does not mean that we are going to surrender. It means that we have to adopt to the reality of that world. That is what we are doing, with great equanimity, without giving up our ideals, our goals. I ask you to have trust in what the government and party are doing. They are defending, to the last atom, socialist ideas, principles and goals."|source=— Fidel Castro explaining the reforms of the Special Period <ref>[[#Col03|Coltman 2003]]. pp. 291–292.</ref> }} In 1991, Havana [[1991 Pan American Games|hosted]] the [[Pan-American Games]], which involved the construction of [[Estadio Panamericano, Havana|a stadium]] and accommodation for the athletes; Castro would admit that it was an expensive error, but it proved to be a success both for Cuba and Castro. Crowds regularly shouted "Fidel! Fidel!" in front of foreign journalists, while Cuba reached the top of the gold-medal table, the first time a Latin American nation had ever beaten the United States to that title.<ref>[[#Col03|Coltman 2003]]. pp. 272–273.</ref> Support for Castro within Cuba remained strong, and although there were several small demonstrations against the government, the opposition movement stationed within the country rejected the exile community's calls for an armed uprising.<ref>[[#Col03|Coltman 2003]]. pp. 275–276.</ref><ref>[[#Got04|Gott 2004]]. p. 314.</ref> On 5 August 1994, the most serious anti-government demonstration since Castro took power occurred in Havana, as 200 to 300 young men began throwing stones at police, demanding that they be given a boat and allowed to travel to Miami. Soon, a much larger pro-Castro crowd emerged to confront them, being joined by Castro himself, who told state media that the men were anti-socials who had been misled by U.S. media. The protests soon dispersed with no recorded injuries.<ref>[[#Col03|Coltman 2003]]. pp. 297–299.</ref><ref>[[#Got04|Gott 2004]]. pp. 298–299.</ref> Fearing that the U.S. or Florida-based dissident groups would take the opportunity to invade, the government organised a defense strategy known as the "War of All the People." This involved planning a widespread Castro recognised the need for reform if Cuban socialism was to survive in a world now dominated by capitalist free markets. In October 1991, the Fourth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party was held in Santiago, at which a number of important changes to the government were announced. Castro would step down as head of government, to be replaced by the much younger [[Carlos Lage]], although would remain the head of the Communist Party and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Many older members of government were to be retired and replaced by younger counterparts. A number of economic changes were proposed, and subsequently put to a national referendum. Free farmers' markets and small-scale private enterprises would be legalised in an attempt to stimulate economic growth, while U.S. dollars were also made legal tender. Certain restrictions on emigration were eased, allowing more discontented Cuban citizens to move to the United States. Further democratisation was to be brought in by having the National Assembly's members elected directly by the people, rather than through municipal and provincial assemblies. Castro welcomed debate between proponents and opponents of the reforms, although over time began to increasingly sympathise with the opponent's positions, arguing that such reforms must be delayed.<ref>[[#Col03|Coltman 2003]]. pp. 276–281, 284, 287.</ref><ref>[[#Got04|Gott 2004]]. pp. 291–294.</ref> Line 352: In July 2010, he made his first public appearance since falling ill, greeting science center workers and giving a television interview to ''[[Mesa Redonda Internacional|Mesa Redonda]]'' in which he discussed U.S. tensions with [[Iran]] and [[North Korea]].<ref>[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/americas/fidel-castro-makes-rare-tv-appearance/article1637774/ "Fidel Castro makes rare TV appearance"], ''Globe and Mail'', July 12, 2010</ref> On August 7, 2010, Castro gave his first speech to the [[National Assembly of People's Power|National Assembly]] in four years, urging the U.S. not to take military actions against those nations and warning of a [[nuclear holocaust]]. When asked whether Castro may be re-entering government, culture minister [[Abel Prieto]] told the [[BBC]], "I think that he has always been in Cuba's political life but he is not in the government...He has been very careful about that. His big battle is international affairs."<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-latin-america-10903048 "Fidel Castro addresses parliament after four-year gap"], BBC News, August 7, 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-08-06-castro-parliament_N.htm "Fidel Castro to attend session of Cuba parliament"]. The Associated Press. 8/7/2010</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/07/AR2010080702549.html |title=Fidel Castro warns of nuclear risk in 1st speech to Cuban parliament in 4 years |work=The Washington Post |date=August 8, 2010 |accessdate=March 16, 2011 |first=Will |last=Weissert}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/world/americas/08cuba.html "Fidel Castro Addresses Parliament on Iran Issue"]. Nytimes.com (2010-08-07). Retrieved on September 25, 2011.</ref> On April 19, 2011, Castro resigned from the Communist Party central committee,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euronews.net/2011/04/19/fidel-quits-communist-party-leadership-as-cuba-looks-to-reform/|title=Fidel quits Communist Party leadership as Cuba looks to reform|publisher=Euronews.net |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=April 19, 2011}}</ref> thus stepping down as party leader. Raúl Castro was selected as his successor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/19/uk-cuba-congress-idUKTRE73I3GQ20110419|title=Cuban communists opt for old guard to lead reforms|agency=Reuters |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=April 20, 2011}}</ref> Now without any official role in the country's government, he took on the role of an [[elder statesman]]. In March 2012, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] visited Cuba for three days, during which time he briefly met with Castro despite the Pope's vocal opposition to Cuba's government.<ref name="Franks 2012"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/03/28/uk-pope-cuba-fidel-idUKBRE82R14Q20120328 |title=Pope meets Cuba's Fidel Castro, slams US embargo |author=Pullella, Philip and Franks, Jeff |work=Reuters |date=29 March 2012 |accessdate=13 October 2012}}</ref> Later that year it was revealed that along with Hugo Chávez, Castro had played a significant behind-the-scenes role in orchestrating peace talks between the Colombian government and the far left [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia|FARC]] During the [[North Korea crisis (2013)|North Korea crisis]], he urged both parties to show restraint. He called the situation "incredible and absurd," and that war would not benefit either side. Castro also said, "This is one of the gravest risks of nuclear war since the [[Cuban Missile crisis|October Crisis in 1962]] involving Cuba, 50 years ago."<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/05/fidel-castro-north-korea-nuclear-war-warning</ref> | |||