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| Fidel Castro gives cautious nod to efforts to restore U.S.-Cuban diplomatic relations | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| HAVANA — Fidel Castro broke a long and speculation-inducing public silence over his country’s steps to mend ties with the United States, saying he still distrusts Washington but offering a qualified endorsement of the landmark diplomatic outreach. | HAVANA — Fidel Castro broke a long and speculation-inducing public silence over his country’s steps to mend ties with the United States, saying he still distrusts Washington but offering a qualified endorsement of the landmark diplomatic outreach. |
| “I don’t trust the policy of the United States, nor have I exchanged a word with them, but this does not mean I reject a peaceful solution to conflicts or the dangers of war,” he wrote in a letter published late Monday by state-run media. | “I don’t trust the policy of the United States, nor have I exchanged a word with them, but this does not mean I reject a peaceful solution to conflicts or the dangers of war,” he wrote in a letter published late Monday by state-run media. |
| Cuba’s 88-year-old former leader has not been seen in public in a year, but he periodically weighs in on matters of major importance through letters and written statements. | |
| He had not made public comments since the Dec. 17 announcement that Cuba and the United States would chart a path toward renewing diplomatic relations after more than five decades of tensions. The silence has fanned rumors about his failing health or a political rift with President Raúl Castro, 83, his brother. | |
| Last week, the highest-ranking U.S. delegation in decades was in Havana for talks about the restoration of diplomatic relations broken off by Washington in 1961. Neither Castro played a role in the discussions. | Last week, the highest-ranking U.S. delegation in decades was in Havana for talks about the restoration of diplomatic relations broken off by Washington in 1961. Neither Castro played a role in the discussions. |
| Referring to him not by name but as “the president of Cuba,” Fidel Castro wrote that his brother had taken “the pertinent steps in accordance with his prerogatives and the powers given to him by the National Assembly and the Communist Party of Cuba.” | Referring to him not by name but as “the president of Cuba,” Fidel Castro wrote that his brother had taken “the pertinent steps in accordance with his prerogatives and the powers given to him by the National Assembly and the Communist Party of Cuba.” |
| After a near-fatal illness forced him to step down in 2006 after 47 years in power, Castro has gradually receded from public life, and he often goes months without publishing a word. His letters typically do not opine on domestic Cuban affairs, sticking instead to global topics and historical matters such as his long standoff with the United States. | After a near-fatal illness forced him to step down in 2006 after 47 years in power, Castro has gradually receded from public life, and he often goes months without publishing a word. His letters typically do not opine on domestic Cuban affairs, sticking instead to global topics and historical matters such as his long standoff with the United States. |
| Over the years, the writings have been less lengthy, too. Each one is dutifully reprinted across Cuba’s state-controlled media. | Over the years, the writings have been less lengthy, too. Each one is dutifully reprinted across Cuba’s state-controlled media. |
| At more than 1,200 words, the letter published Monday was composed in Castro’s signature style, touching on the labor practices of ancient Greece, the revolutionary inspirations of Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong, and his decision to intervene in the Angolan conflict during the Cold War. | At more than 1,200 words, the letter published Monday was composed in Castro’s signature style, touching on the labor practices of ancient Greece, the revolutionary inspirations of Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong, and his decision to intervene in the Angolan conflict during the Cold War. |
| The letter was formally addressed to Cuba’s Student Federation, on the eve of the group’s annual march commemorating national hero José Martí, and the passages about relations with the United States came only in the last few paragraphs. | The letter was formally addressed to Cuba’s Student Federation, on the eve of the group’s annual march commemorating national hero José Martí, and the passages about relations with the United States came only in the last few paragraphs. |
| There he noted that the late South African president Nelson Mandela, with whom he had maintained a long relationship, also had been a friend of President Obama’s. | |
| “Any peaceful or negotiated solution to the problems between the United States and the peoples or any people of Latin America that doesn’t imply force or the use of force should be treated in accordance with international norms and principles,” Castro wrote. “We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all the people of the world, including with our political adversaries.” | |