Castro: Death of communist leader gives hope to Cuban people

After more than a half century of communist rule over Cuba, Fidel Castro is dead.

And although change in that island nation won't happen anytime soon, there now is real hope for its future.

The dictator who ruled with an iron fist and crushed any opposition is gone, and there will come a time when his brother, Raul, also will be gone.

What will happen then? No one really knows, but it can only be a good thing, a chance for the Cuban people to throw off the shackles and take the first steps toward democracy.

No, it won't be easy, and it won't come quickly. But the cracks in the wall have already begun, and we may yet see in our lifetime a new type of government in Cuba, one that is for and by the people. Castro promised that when he took control in the late 1950s, but like so many other would-be "freedom fighters" he quickly degenerated into the same type of ruthless dictator that he overthrew.

We, and many others, have high hopes for Cuba. They may take some time to take hold, and they will not come easy. But at least there is a chance for true freedom, and that is something that Cuban people have not had for many years.

Published in Editorials on November 28, 2016 9:58 AM