Neither Fidel nor Raul Castro has been seen since the start of the week. Meanwhile, Washington prepares for a change of power in Cuba. The United States believes that the task is much easier in case the Castro brothers are no longer alive.

Washington is anticipating a change of the regime in Cuba. The U.S. Congress is, for one, considering allocating $80 million for developing democracy in Cuba. George W. Bush made it clear on Thursday that Cuba may soon have a democratic government. “We will support any effort to build a transitional government in Cuba committed to democracy,” he said during his visit to Texas.



Official mass media in Cuba carry on with their propaganda campaign supporting the regime. Fidel Castro was seen last early this week upon his return from Argentina. However, his statement on delegating powers to his brother was read out by his aide. The president’s brother, Raul has not been seen either since the announcement. Washington believes the two brothers to be dead. Official newspapers try to prove the opposite but not very effectively. For instance, Granma, the Cuban Communist Party’s official newspaper, published Friday a speech by Raul Castro with a picture, dated as of July 1. Seemingly, the propaganda does not have fresher evidence of Raul’s ability to rule.



Fidel Castro’s sister, the 73-year-old Juanita Castro Ruz said Friday her brother was in stable condition and had been discharged from the intensive care unit. The statement is quite doubtful, though, as Ms. Castro Ruz immigrated to the Untied States back in 1963 and has not had any contact with the brother since then.



The United States thinks that Cuban high-ranking officials are shocked and puzzled by the developments and try to hide the death of the Castro brothers.