Update: There are thousands of Cuban-Americans out on the streets of Miami right now, all of them celebrating the possible demise of fidel castro. All of them cheering and carrying Cuban flags alongside Old Glory. You can here the shouts of "Libertad! Libertad! Libertad!' in the background on the news reports. It is, indeed, a joyous occassion. But I'd like all of you to know that behind each celebratory scream, behind every smile, behind every feeling of unbridled joy and desperate happiness, there are 47 years of tears. Forty seven years of frustration. Of anger. Of pain. Of loss. Of separated families and drowned brothers and sisters. These celebrations have been paid for in blood. And they are more than well deserved.
Viva Cuba libre coño!
As reported on the blogosphere at Babalu Blog .com:
August 01, 2006 [/] Take a deep breath
Im on about an hour's sleep. Spent the night in front of TVs and the computer with radio stations blaring in the background. Our phones, the landline and three cellphones, havent stopped ringing yet. I'm still unable to make a connection with contacts in Cuba, either via telephone or internet.
We probably wont see much news about fidel castro - save for the standard MSM fluff pieces on his life and how he saved Cuba with free healthcare and education and all that - coming out of the island for a few days. There were reports that some Cubans had taken to the streets in Havana but these are all unconfirmed and possibly incorrect.
Let's all keep in mind that this "transition" has not taken place overnight. The Cuban government have slowly been weening the Cuban people of fidel castro for weeks now, publishing numerous articles and editorials in Granma, Prensa Latina, and all other government news sources, getting the public ready for the change in leadership.
Id like to ask, once again, if there are any folks out there who have contacted family or friends in Cuba to email me and let me know what theyve reported. All names will be kept confidential.
I should note, for those of you that arent very familiar with fidel castro's deaths, that this is the first time where actual reports on castro's health were made publicly to the Cuban people via Cuban media. Thus, sparking even more speculation as to the fate of the bearded bastard.
If you guys think last nights imromptu celebrations caused by the news of the relinquishing of power were big, just wait until the news that the old goat is dead top be confirmed. Even clocks will stop in Miami that day.
Posted by Val Prieto at 07:20 AM | Habla (3) | Leenkaso (0)
July 31, 2006 [/] fidel castro Death Watch, Take 2846 [/] BREAKING NEWS:
Local news is reporting that fidel castro has "temporarily" handed power of the communist nation over to his brother Raul. Details are sketchy at the moment, but reports are that he was suffering from "intestinal ailments."
Maybe Presidents Bush's visit to Miami today gave the bearded bastard a bad case of runs. Whatever the outcome, lets all hope castro is presently wallowing in severe pain.
Remember folks, in the event that the dictator has finally begun to sing El Manisero, the public will not be informed until all elements of the government are in place to keep the Cuban people under strict and total control.
Ill be posting updates as news develops.
Update: All local stations are dispatching reporters to Little Havana as we speak. It is being reported that after the surgery, fidel castro would be out of commission for two months. Anyone that has had an elderly family member in the hospital knows that their frailty can and does lead to complications. Again, let's all hope that the complications are many and their outcomes fatal.
Update: Lots of talking heads on local tv now, lots of speculations and what ifs being tossed around. I feel I must urge everyone to take this news - however absolutely grand it is - with a grain of salt. castro has "died" many times before, only to then reappear like genital herpes. Let's all keep the champagne chilled, but let's not be popping any corks just yet.
Update: People have taken to the streets in Little Havana in Miami. Calle Ocho is packed with Cubans celebrating the news. Our phones here havent stopped ringing and we're unable to communicate with anyone in Cuba. Versailles Restaturant is packed with folks honking, screaming and waving flags. My wife insists that castro is dead.
On a personal note, I truly hope the bearded dictator bleeds, as Henry put it to me just now, like a stuck pig and that today, July 31, 2006 is the beginning of Cuba's future.
This may not turn out ultimately to be the occassion for me to write 'The Post", but at least I know now that day is getting closer rather quickly. Id like to ask you all out there to collect your thoughts about the death of the tyrant and what it means to you, to your loved ones and to Cuba. Write them down and send them to me. On the day that bastard finally kicks the damned bucket, Id like to post all of these so that everyone that comes here on that wonderful day gets the truth straight from all of you.
The Mrs. has just made a colada of cafe as I know I'll be here all night. There will be no sleep in Miami tonight.
Update: Good friend and blogger Enrique Rubio will be on Notiuno radio in a few minutes from Puerto Rico discussing this breaking news. You can listen live here.
Update: One guy at Calle Ocho being interviewed by local news said everything that needs to be said: "While we celebrate here, I urge the Cuban people in Cuba to take to the streets. This is the opportune moment. Now is the time."
Update: We have been unable to contact anyone on the island as yet. if any readers out there have communicated with their families or loved ones in Cuba, please shoot me an email and let me know what youve been told. Ill withhold all names for their safety.
Update: Congreswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is urging all Cubans in Miami with boats to NOT attempt to go to Cuba to bring family members over or for any other purpose. All vessels will be intercepted at sea.
Update: Bird Road in Miami is now reportedly closed because of the impromptu celebrations. WFOR has streaming video of the celebrations in Miami here.
Update: There are thousands of Cuban-Americans out on the streets of Miami right now, all of them celebrating the possible demise of fidel castro. All of them cheering and carrying Cuban flags alongside Old Glory. You can here the shouts of "Libertad! Libertad! Libertad!' in the background on the news reports. It is, indeed, a joyous occassion. But I'd like all of you to know that behind each celebratory scream, behind every smile, behind every feeling of unbridled joy and desperate happiness, there are 47 years of tears. Forty seven years of frustration. Of anger. Of pain. Of loss. Of separated families and drowned brothers and sisters. These celebrations have been paid for in blood. And they are more than well deserved.
Viva Cuba libre coño!
[…] Delicious Irony Update: Aint it unbelievably ironic that today, of all days, President George W. Bush was in Miami, in Little Havana, and stopped to enjoy un cafecito cubano? Today. Of all days. [My ellipses and emphasis]
