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Cuba After Fidel: How Castro's Brother Will Develop Relations With the World

© AP Photo / Javier GaleanoFidel Castro, left, raises his brother's hand, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, as they sing the anthem of international socialism during the 6th Communist Party Congress in Havana, Cuba (File)
Fidel Castro, left, raises his brother's hand, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, as they sing the anthem of international socialism during the 6th Communist Party Congress in Havana, Cuba (File) - Sputnik International
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With the death of Fidel Castro on November 25, political commentators remain at odds about how Cuba will build up ties with the world in the future.

Fidel Castro, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of Cuba, head of delegation of Cuban communists at XXVII convention of CPSU making a record in the distinguished visitors' book at the main architectural and design department of Moscow - Sputnik International
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The death of Fidel Castro on November 25 prompted political commentators to speculate on the future of Cuba's relations with the world, especially with Russia and the United States.

In an interview with RT, Boris Martynov, Deputy Director of the Moscow-based Institute for Latin American Studies, said that as far as the Cuba-US ties are concerned, Washington should first and foremost lift its economic embargo against Cuba which has been in place since 1961.

"The restoration of diplomatic relations [between Washington and Havana] is a formal step. It was made by Barack Obama who just needed to improve his political image against the background of his colorless presidency. The serious dialogue is yet to be launched," Martynov said.

Professor Sergey Sudakov of the Academy of Military Sciences, for his part, told RT that the Cuban people are too tired from the sanctions and the oppression of the American government, and that the Cubans do not trust US politicians.

"Right now, neither [US President-elect Donald] Trump nor other possible presidents will manage to prod Cuba to go the way that they want to. As for Russia, it has a good chance [to do so], Sudakov said.

FILE - In this March 14, 1957 file photo, Fidel Castro, the young anti-Batista guerrilla leader, center, is seen with his brother Raul Castro, left, and Camilo Cienfuegos, right, while operating in the Mountains of Eastern Cuba. The man who nationalized the Cuban economy and controlled of virtually every aspect of life on the island celebrates his 90th birthday on Saturday - Sputnik International
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He added that "despite the Cubans' interest for trade and better living conditions, I don't think they are ready to sacrifice their sovereignty and the Cuban revolution's achievements, including those in the field of social security, education and health."

Sudakov, for his part, said that "with all power in Cuba currently in the hands of Raul Castro, he will not allow American interests and American investments to quickly penetrate into his country."

"So the policy of detente will be greatly constrained by Raul Castro, and the relations between Cuba and the United States will most likely be frozen in the next five years," Sudakov said, adding that the Cubans will be afraid of making drastic changes all at once.

In contrast, Earl Rasmussen, Vice President of the Washington-based Eurasia Center, told RIA Novosti that he believes the US and Cuba have good opportunities to further normalize bilateral relations after Fidel Castro's death.

"I think that it is possible to continue the policy of stabilization and a full-fledged normalization of [Cuban-US] relations. In addition, Cuba's strategically important step to open itself to the world can pave the way for more openness and economic growth for all the Cubans inside the country and the region as a whole," Rasmussen said.

According to him, "Fidel Castro will be missed by many, but his death could open new opportunities for the Cuban people."

Meanwhile, some experts say that if 85-year-old Raul Castro's health allows him to be at the helm another five years, he will be able to prevent Cuba from going through political upheavals and provide an evolutionary transition of power.

In this vein, finding a worthy successor remains a key priority for Raul Castro, according to experts.

Boris Martynov in turn said that "since the late 1970s, various presidential candidates have appeared and disappeared, and that against the background of such charismatic figures as Fidel and Raul, all these candidates, of course, were losing in advance."

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Fidel Castro died on Friday, at the age of 90 years old, as announced by his brother, incumbent Cuban President Raul Castro, on state television earlier in the day. The former president and revolutionary leader's funeral is scheduled for December 4 in Santiago de Cuba.

On Saturday, Vladimir Putin called Cuban President Raul Castro to express condolences on behalf of the Russian people and himself after the death of Fidel Castro.

Putin described the deceased as a "remarkable political figure, a patriot" and praised him for his contribution to a friendship and strategic cooperation between Cuba and Russia.

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