HAVANA — Everyone in Cuba is talking about the startling turn in relations with the United States, with one notable exception: Fidel Castro.
So far, the larger-than-life retired Cuban leader has made no public comment on the biggest news in years — that the U.S. and his island nation will restore diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of hostility.
His brother, President Raul Castro, announced the historic shift in a surprise television appearance Wednesday. There was speculation he could address it again during the Cuban National Assembly, which started one of its twice-annual sessions Friday.
Among those speaking out on the topic was Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela Castro. She said moves by President Barack Obama to ease some travel and trade restrictions with the island are welcome but won’t lead to the downfall of the communist system.
“If the U.S. thinks these changes will bring Cuba back to capitalism and return it to being a servile country to hegemonic interests of the most powerful financial groups in the U.S., they must be dreaming,” she said.
But it’s her famously bearded uncle who has long personified the Cuban revolution and its defiance of Washington. And he’s not known for being reticent. He once set a record for the longest speech at the U.N. General Assembly — 4 hours and 16 minutes — and he’s been known to weigh in on such topics as the Israel-Palestinian conflict in lengthy editorials.
When he went silent in 2011, there was speculation about the health of the elderly former leader, and now there is again.
Writer and Cuba expert Ann Louise Bardach said rumors swirl that the 88-year-old Castro never fully recovered from a series of surgeries that prompted his retirement.
“Even if he were in perfect health, he’s of a certain age,” said Bardach, author of “Without Fidel” and “Cuba Confidential.”
Another explanation is that Fidel Castro is staying out of the limelight because, officially at least, his brother runs the country. Government officials won’t discuss such a sensitive issue, and many Cubans shrug it off.
“He’ll come out later,” said 19-year-old English student Enriqueta Nieto of Fidel Castro. “But I think he’s fine.”
Obama said Fidel Castro’s name came up only briefly in his phone conversation this week with Raul. The U.S. president said he opened the call with a 15-minute statement, then apologized for talking so long.
Obama said Castro responded, “You’re still a young man and you still have a chance to break Fidel’s record. He once spoke for seven hours straight.”
Obama said the Cuban leader then delivered an opening statement at least twice as long as his.
“I was able to say it runs in the family,” Obama quipped.
