Update #1

After ruling Cuba for nearly 50 years, Fidel Castro announced that he is stepping down from his position as dictator of Cuba. In all likelihood, the reins of power will be passed to his brother, Raul. The world now watches and waits to see what changes, if any, will occur on Raul's watch.

While Castro, age 81, is stepping down due to his age and health-related factors, it is worth noting that Raul is 76 himself: whatever happens, it seems Raul is likely to be little more than a transitional ruler. The overriding question for Cuba is: what follows after?

Nearly half a century of brutal communist rule by Fidel Castro has taken a grim toll on the island country. At present, Castro's legacy is a bankrupt economy, a worthless currency, a starving population, and a multitude of human rights abuses. Castro's exit from the presidency leaves the door open for a break with this legacy.

In recent years, Raul Castro has expressed interest in pursuing incremental market reforms and has praised the Chinese system of economic development. He has also allowed the first sanctioned instances of government criticism by holding public forums for Cuban citizens. We believe that economic openness ultimately leads to political freedom; that the power of the market, once unleashed, undermines tyrannical regimes.

For that reason, if Raul does indeed pursue a course of more market-minded policies, we support a lifting of the US trade embargo. Whatever reforms Raul does initiate will undoubtedly trigger a public outcry for political freedom as well.

When Cubans call for elections to be held, the United States must bring all of its considerable influence to bear in order to ensure that this happens. Raul may prefer a more market-based approach to the economy, but he is no democrat. Gorbachev instituted market reforms in the Soviet Union, but if Reagan had not held his feet to the fire, the Soviet Union would not have fallen so swiftly. The Cuban people have suffered a half century of misery; there is no purpose to be served in prolonging their plight.

For now, it seems, we are all in the position of watching and waiting. Whatever Raul does decide to do, for now it will likely be a continuation of the status quo. His brother Fidel is no longer the official ruler, but still casts a long shadow. Fidel vetoed reform efforts by Raul in the past; it is unlikely that he will hesitate to do so again. We support a free and open Cuba, where its citizens can worship God and raise their children with no fear of secret police or government oppression. Upon Castro's death, it is incumbent that the United States make this a priority.