Via the BBC: Fidel absent as Cuba celebrates

Cubans have marked Revolution Day without their ailing President, Fidel Castro, for the first time since 1959.

Acting leader Raul Castro led the day’s events, filling in for his brother - who was last seen in public a year ago.

Raul said that the months without Fidel had been “difficult” but insisted that his brother was recovering well.

The holiday commemorates a rebel attack on the Moncada barracks in 1953 - credited with sparking the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power.

One begins to wonder if we will ever see Fidel in public again and what it is about his condition that has precluded even a brief, symbolic appearance.

Also of interest:

Raul again indicated that he might be open to a warming of relations with the US, which has maintained an embargo against Cuba for 45 years.

He reiterated an offer he made last December to speak to the US - but only after next year’s presidential elections were over.

“If the United States authority were to finally desist from their arrogance and decide to converse in a civilised manner, it would be a welcome change,” he said.

Quite frankly, the US is going to have to start talking at some point. There is no logical reason to continue the current state of US-Cuban relations (aside from the fact that presidents don’t want to hack off a certain segment of voters in Florida).