Ever since July of last year people from Cuba and beyond have been holding their collective breath as they have waited to see if Fidel Castro, who was raised on a prosperous sugar plantation and grew up to become the leader of his people (via a revolution or two), will live on to rule well into the 21st century or if he shall finally pass on from this world.

A Spanish newspaper has recently reported that he is suffering greatly from three botched surgeries:

The Spanish newspaper said in a report posted on its Web site on Monday that Mr. Castro, who has not been seen in public since July 26, had suffered from diverticulitis, a serious ailment caused when the bulges that sometimes form in the colon of older people become infected.

In Mr. Castro’s case, that later led to peritonitis, which is an inflaming of the stomach lining, the newspaper said. Describing his condition as “very serious,” the paper said Mr. Castro was being fed intravenously.

Doctors first removed a portion of Mr. Castro’s large intestine and connected the colon to the rectum, the paper said. But the operation failed and fecal matter found its way into his stomach, causing an infection.

Later, doctors drained the infected area and performed a colostomy but that also failed, the paper said. A third operation implanted a prothesis. A Korean version failed, prompting Cuban doctors to order one from Spain.

taken from the New York Times

Like him or not, Castro made a big impact upon the world… or did he? Is Castro just an American obsession or did his revolution change more than his own country?

Even more so, when he dies, will his revolution die with him? Will his brother continue to rule in his place or will the exiled Cubans finally have their day as Castro’s administration crumbles without him?

We may not have long to wait to find out. My guess is that the people will call for elections after Castro’s death, and if that is not allowed by those in charge at the time then that may indeed be the end for Castro’s Cuba.

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