Cuba to Fire 500,000 Workers

Staff / Truthdig Sep 14, 2010 Most Cubans rely on their government for just about everything, including a job, but President Raul Castro intends to change that. Cuban officials announced Monday that roughly 10 percent of the state-employed work force is getting a pink slip. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Castro Skips Cuba’s Big Day

Staff / Truthdig Jul 26, 2010 Fidel was a no-show and brother Raul kept quiet during Cuba's annual Revolution Day festivities, leading journalists, analysts and amateur handicappers to puzzle over the larger implications. The Guardian reports "bafflement among the 90,000-strong crowd" that turned out to hear speeches. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Castro Emerges for Talk Show Stint

Staff / Truthdig Jul 13, 2010 Cuba's former President Fidel Castro hasn't exactly been courting the limelight in recent years, owing to his ailing health and subsequent transfer of power to his brother Raul, but he rallied and made a rare cameo appearance Monday on a Cuban talk show. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Castro Issues Critique of U.S. Economic Policy

Staff / Truthdig Aug 14, 2009 Just in time for his 83rd birthday, former Cuban President Fidel Castro made his presence known once again, by signaling his displeasure with the United States' handling of the recent financial catastrophe. He spoke out in an Op-Ed article published Thursday in Cuba's government-run newspapers. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Calling All Cubans: Cell Phones, Gays OK!

Staff / Truthdig Mar 28, 2008 Be it through changes in cell phone restrictions or proposed legislation recognizing same-sex unions and transgender rights, Cuba's political future is looking up for many of its citizens . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chronic Fatigues

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Feb 26, 2008 Dig deeper

Cuban Government Makes Raul Official

Staff / Truthdig Feb 25, 2008 Cuba's National Assembly has named Raul Castro president and successor to his brother Fidel. Raul has essentially been running the country since Fidel had major surgery in 2006. Although he was expected to throw a bone to a younger generation of leaders, Raul named another septuagenarian veteran of the revolution his vice president. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

McCain Wishes Castro a Speedy Retirement From Land of the Living

Staff / Truthdig Feb 23, 2008 Sen. John McCain, campaigning in Indianapolis, said Cuba won't be better off under Fidel Castro's fraternal successor, Raul Castro, whom he called "worse in many respects than Fidel was," and the Republican front-runner voiced the hope that Fidel will meet his commie maker, Karl Marx, "very soon." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Castro Not Well Enough for Public Speaking

Staff / Truthdig Jan 17, 2008 Although Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would apparently disagree, 81-year-old Cuban President Fidel Castro says he's not well enough to appear in public to speak to Cubans during the lead-up to Sunday's parliamentary elections, but he is still able to express himself through writing. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Report: Rights Abuse Is Easing Under Raul

Staff / Truthdig Jul 6, 2007 An independent Cuban human rights organization says Cuba has taken fewer and freed more political prisoners under the rule of Raul Castro, compared with his brother, Fidel. But the group says human rights abuses by the government are still a problem, as is the U.S. embargo, which it says imposes unnecessary hardship on the Cuban people. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Castro Pokes His Head Out

Staff / Truthdig Feb 28, 2007 Fidel Castro has finally made a public appearance -- the first since surgery prompted speculation about his health and rule. Appearing on his buddy Hugo Chavez's radio show, Castro said, "I feel good and I'm happy." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Castro Makes Overture to Free Speech

Staff / Truthdig Dec 22, 2006 Cuba's acting president, Raul Castro, hinted at boosting freedom of expression this week, inviting university students to debate without fear. The remarks signal a departure from the practices of his brother, Fidel, who handed over power after undergoing surgery in July. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )