international intrigue

Did Fidel Castro Really Mean to Say ‘the Cuban Model Doesn’t Even Work for Us Anymore?’

In the second installment of Jeffrey Goldberg’s multi-piece encounter with Fidel Castro on Atlantic.com, the Cuban leader delivers a surprising statement. After Goldberg asks whether the Cuban model of government was something that was “still worth exporting,” Castro replied: “The Cuban model doesn’t even work for us anymore.” Whoa, right? Big news — so much for hanging on to that revolution.

Or maybe not. According to Castro, who is apparently an avid Atlantic reader, he meant exactly the opposite of what he seemed to say. “My idea, as the whole world knows, is that the capitalist system no longer works for the United States or the world,” he said today. “How could such a system work for a socialist country like Cuba?”

… Hmmm. Well, we weren’t there, so it’s hard to tell exactly what went down. What we do know is, Castro’s at least changed one personal attitude for the better. Look at that so-in-for-fall flannel shirt! A vast improvement over those red-white-and-blue jumpsuits he was always wearing when he would pose for periodic pictures in order to prove he was still alive. And it’s hard to tell from the picture, but it seems like his jeans may not even be starched!

Fidel: ‘Cuban Model Doesn’t Even Work For Us Anymore’ [Atlantic]
Fidel Castro says his comment on Cuban model was misunderstood [CNN]

Did Fidel Castro Really Mean to Say ‘the Cuban Model Doesn’t Even Work for Us Anymore?’