WingColors

I think it's very possible that he is dead, considering his age and recent health problems. Showing photos and video proves absolutely, positively nothing and I would find it laughable, if it didn't seem such a desperate act, that the government would try to pass some some easily-manipulated off as proof.

He could also be alive. If he is, I expect to see photos of him in public, holding today's newspaper. Otherwise, I'll side with the he's-dead-and-they're-covering-it-up side.

In any regime, whether it be a communistic or democratic one, those in power will do almost anything to retain the power. Whether he's dead or alive, his supporters stay in power and prevent others from trying to attain it.

At the moment it is all conjecture, and I find this statement in the article odd:

"Never mind the question of why the Miami police department and not the Havana government or, at least, the U.S. State Department would let the world know."

Yes, why would the world learn of his death through the Miami police department? Strange, indeed.

Well quite possibly they would have to prepare the army to combat a potential counter revolution.

I am just having fun with this. My uncle by marriage, now an ex, is Cuban and lives in Miami. He left Cuba with his family during the revolution. I should actually call him up and see what is going on down there. There is a line from Cuba to Miami, no doubt there are people who at least think they know what is going on in Cuba.

One thing about Perez (and what made him so popular) - when he announces something most of the time he's right. He's often "broke" something a week in advance. As Erin said it's possible (almost logical) that he passed. One thing Perez did was put a call out to prove him wrong. Show Castro alive and well.

That hasn't happened.

If he did die, this would be one of those rare times when a blogger broke something this big before traditional media. I do not recall this happening with international news before.

I learned something new. I didn't know Perez was Cuban-American. Things you learn.

@cooper - the buzz that he is dead is crazy down there. I was told this time (unlike previous times) it has a "real" feel to it.

If he did die, I can see why the Cuban government would want to prolong the announcement. They would need to prepare for not only what Cuban citizens would do, but also what other countries would do.

As Tyme said, the buzz down there is insane. My family down there says there's something different about it this time. I'm not quite sure what they mean by that. Maybe where the rumor initially came from? Newspapers in Miami say that it's not real, or at least, that it can't be confirmed, but they've said that when all the rumors popped up. If he is dead, I'll drive down to Miami. Anyone else want to go?

If he dies, does this mean we can go to Cuba? :)

Edit: Oh, and there's this. From the BBC.

He might be dead, he might not be. It doesn't matter, though. Raul's not giving up power. What'll happen is what happens in every communist country when something like this occurs. They keep talking about their great leader and how he's doing just fine, but they do it less and less. He doesn't show up at any of the functions, but it's OK because the military is strong and the country can be defended. Then the news about El Presidente stop, and life just goes on.

From "1984", chapter III:

'Does Big Brother exist?'

'Of course he exists. The Party exists. Big Brother is the embodiment of the Party.'

'Does he exist in the same way as I exist?

'You do not exist,' said O'Brien.

Once again the sense of helplessness assailed him. He knew, or he could imagine, the arguments which proved his own nonexistence; but they were nonsense, they were only a play on words. Did not the statement, 'You do not exist', contain a logical absurdity? But what use was it to say so? His mind shriveled as he thought of the unanswerable, mad arguments with which O'Brien would demolish him.

'I think I exist,' he said wearily. 'I am conscious of my own identity. I was born and I shall die. I have arms and legs. I occupy a particular point in space. No other solid object can occupy the same point simultaneously. In that sense, does Big Brother exist?'

'It is of no importance. He exists.'

'Will Big Brother ever die?'

'Of course not. How could he die? Next question.'

If he dies, does this mean we can go to Cuba? :)

More importantly--it means we can smoke Cuban cigars. ;)

Kidding. I'll go down to Cuba with ya Josh! I have more than an inkling that Perez is right.

My first thought when I was this was Zombie Castro! And my brain immediately went to Zombie Reagan as his running mate.

2008 could be an interesting year with a dual zombie ticket. ;-)

Estarla, I can't wait to get real Cuban cigars. My sister bought my dad "Cuban" cigars for his birthday. I told her that if they cost only 3 bucks, they weren't really Cuban. But she's not exactly a genius.

I've always wanted to go to Cuba.