Castro: Cuba 'marching ahead'

Fidel Castro today said Cuba was “marching on” without him in power and gave no hint about when he might retake office after stepping down a year ago.

But he was decidedly less optimistic about the island’s chances of improving relations with the United States, writing in his latest “Reflections of the Commander in Chief” essay that “no one should entertain the slightest illusion” Washington will negotiate with Cuba.

Castro, who turns 81 this month, has not been seen in public since July 31 last year when he stunned Cuba and the world by issuing a proclamation stating that he had undergone emergency intestinal surgery and was stepping down in favour of his younger brother, Raul.

Exactly one year later, he wrote: “Today, I am bombarded with questions as to when I will take up again what some call power.”