Raul Castro Assumes Spotlight

Dictator's brother fills in at annual rite, rapping US, Bush

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Jul 26, 2007 3:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Fidel Castro did not give his usual sermon at Cuba's annual Revolution Day celebration today; instead, his brother Raul took center stage. The no-longer-quite-so-interim leader, who assumed power a year ago because of his brother's health problems, told a cheering crowd that he's willing to negotiate with the US after the Bush administration leaves office, the Miami Herald reports.

"If you are ready to talk in a civilized manner, we are prepared to do so," he said. In an hourlong speech in the central city of Camaguey, Castro also rebuked the US for not issuing a promised 20,000 visas a year to Cubans, urged workers to increase their discipline, and called for the nation to bolster its food production.

[Images (8)]

[Videos (1)]

Cuba's acting President Raul Castro delivers a speech during a ceremony to mark the 54th anniversary of the Revolution in Camaguey, Cuba, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Castro told tens of thousands of loyalists... (Associated Press)

People wave Cuban flags during a ceremony to mark the 54th anniversary of the Revolution in Camaguey, Cuba, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Acting President Raul Castro told tens of thousands of loyalists that... (Associated Press)

Cubans march by a billboard depicting the Statue of Liberty during the May Day parade in Havana, Tuesday, May 1, 2007. There was no sign of a convalescing Fidel Castro as hundreds of thousands of Cubans... (Associated Press)

Cuban acting president and Defense Minister Raul Castro waves to the crowd during the May Day parade in Havana, Tuesday, May 1, 2007. There was no sign of a convalescing Fidel Castro as hundreds of thousands... (Associated Press)

A boy attends a ceremony to mark the 54th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution in Camaguey, Cuba, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Castro told tens of thousands of loyalists that the country suffered a serious... (Associated Press)

A police officer stands in front of Cuban flags near the U.S. Interest Section in Havana, Thursday, July 26, 2007. While addressing tens of thousands of loyalists celebrating Revolution Day, acting President... (Associated Press)

Cuba's acting President Raul Castro holds up a Cuban flag during a ceremony to mark the 54th anniversary of the Revolution in Camaguey, Cuba, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Castro told tens of thousands of... (Associated Press)

Cuba's acting President Raul Castro delivers a speech during a ceremony to mark the 54th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution in Camaguey, Cuba, Thursday, July 26, 2007. Castro told tens of thousands of... (Associated Press)

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Raul Castro Assumes Spotlight