Center for International Policy

The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy. And eventually, this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections -- and I mean free and I mean fair, not these kind of staged elections that the Castro brothers try to foist off as being true democracy.

And we're going to help -- the United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty. And so those are my initial thoughts."

From President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with President Kagame of Rwanda, White House, Office of the Press Secretary

John Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State

"The U.S. embargo on Cuba will remain in place despite Fidel Castro's announcement that he's resigning as Cuba's leader, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said Tuesday.

Asked whether Castro's resignation would change U.S. policy, Negroponte said, "I can't imagine that happening any time soon."

From Castro's resignation won't change U.S. policy, official says, CNN

Senator Barack Obama, U.S. Presidential Candidate

"Today should mark the end of a dark era in Cuba's history. Fidel Castro's stepping down is an essential first step, but it is sadly insufficient in bringing freedom to Cuba.

Cuba's future should be determined by the Cuban people and not by an anti-democratic successor regime. The prompt release of all prisoners of conscience wrongly jailed for standing up for the basic freedoms too long denied to the Cuban people would mark an important break with the past. It's time for these heroes to be released.

If the Cuban leadership begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change, the United States must be prepared to begin taking steps to normalize relations and to ease the embargo of the last five decades. The freedom of the Cuban people is a cause that should bring the Americans together."

From Politico.com

Senator Hillary Clinton, U.S. Presidential Candidate

"As you know, Fidel Castro announced that he is stepping down as Cuba's leader after 58 years of one-man rule. The new leadership in Cuba will face a stark choice — continue with the failed policies of the past that have stifled democratic freedoms and stunted economic growth — or take a historic step to bring Cuba into the community of democratic nations. The people of Cuba want to seize this opportunity for real change and so must we.

I would say to the new leadership, the people of the United States are ready to meet you if you move forward towards the path of democracy, with real, substantial reforms. The people of Cuba yearn for the opportunity to get out from under the weight of this authoritarian regime, which has held back 11 million talented and hardworking citizens of the Americas. The new government should take this opportunity to release political prisoners and to take serious steps towards democracy that give their people a real voice in their government.

The American people have been on the side in the Cuban people's struggle for freedom and democracy in the past and we will be on their side for democracy in the future.

As president, I will engage our partners in Latin America and Europe who have a strong stake in seeing a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba, and who want very much for the United States to play a constructive role to that end. The United States must pursue an active policy that does everything possible to advance the cause of freedom, democracy and opportunity in Cuba."

From Statement From Hillary Clinton on Fidel Castro

Senator John McCain, U.S. Presidential Candidate

"Today's resignation of Fidel Castro is nearly half a century overdue. For decades, Castro oversaw an apparatus of repression that denied liberty to the people who suffered under his dictatorship.

Yet freedom for the Cuban people is not yet at hand, and the Castro brothers clearly intend to maintain their grip on power. That is why we must press the Cuban regime to release all political prisoners unconditionally, to legalize all political parties, labor unions and free media, and to schedule internationally monitored elections.

Cuba's transition to democracy is inevitable; it is a matter of when - not if. With the resignation of Fidel Castro, the Cuban people have an opportunity to move forward and continue pushing for the moment that they will truly be free. America can and should help hasten the sparking of freedom in Cuba. The Cuban people have waited long enough."

From Senator McCain Statement On Resignation Of Fidel Castro

Joe Garcia (D-FL), Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives

"Miami, FL. – Joe Garcia, candidate for Congress, made the following statement today following the resignation of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro

"We are witnessing the beginning of the end of one of the most oppressive regimes in history. Despite the symbolism of this morning's events, the world community should remain cautiously optimistic and accept nothing less than the absolute freedom of the Cuban people. The transfer of power between brothers is not change, it is nepotism. The Bush administration should act immediately with an effective foreign policy that leads to real change in Cuba, not just empty rhetoric. To help advance democracy we need to allow for the reunification of Cuban families and the direct sending of remittances to the island's brave dissidents. It's time to break from the status quo.""

From JOE GARCIA STATEMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF FIDEL CASTRO

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee

“Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) commented on Fidel Castro’s resignation as Cuba’s President. Baucus has been a longtime advocate of reforming U.S. economic policies toward Cuba and reexamining the decades-old restrictions on trade and travel.

“Fidel Castro’s welcome resignation provides a new opportunity to revisit our failed Cuba policies and put U.S.-Cuba relations on a new path,” said Baucus. “It is time to get our Cuba policy right for America’s farmers and ranchers – including those in my home state of Montana, who are ready to sell their goods to Cuban buyers – and for families across the Florida Straits by beginning to ease trade and travel restrictions now.”

Last summer, Baucus -- along with Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Representatives Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), introduced legislation to make it easier for U.S. farmers and ranchers to sell their world-class products to Cuba by easing restrictions on travel to and payment from Cuba. Baucus held a hearing on the “Promoting American Agricultural and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2007” on December 11, 2007, and is working with colleagues in the Senate to move the bill forward this year.

An independent International Trade Commission study commissioned by Baucus found that removing U.S. export restrictions would increase the annual U.S. share of Cuba’s agriculture imports to as much as nearly 70 percent, representing an annual boost of over $300 million in U.S. agriculture sales.”

“Today I am cautiously optimistic for the people of Cuba and another step is closing on a long, dark chapter in Cuban history. I look forward to the day that Cubans will be able to freely elect their own leaders. Unfortunately, today's news does not facilitate that yet. We must remember that Fidel Castro has resigned from a position he was never elected to in the first place.

The goal of U.S. policy is clear and remains that we must see the unconditional release of all political prisoners; the respect and recognition of fundamental human rights; and a genuine transition towards political freedom, the rule of law and democracy.

Cubans are calling for change. The responsibility of the international community is to stand in unequivocal solidarity with those courageous civil society leaders that despite tremendous repression work steadfast for the goal of a common dream: a free, sovereign and democratic Cuba.”

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

"This is not the cause for celebration that some would believe. This does not represent the replacement of totalitarianism with democracy – instead, it is the replacement of one dictator with another. In essence, today's action makes official what has been in place for a while now, with Raul continuing to lead the same iron-fisted regime that his brother brought to power almost 50 years ago. Just because the dictator is now named Raul instead of Fidel, it doesn't mean that the regime's repressive rule will automatically change.

What this move does perhaps present is a moment of hope. Raul does not have the same relationship with the Cuban people as Fidel, and now is the time to challenge him. Cubans who have been clamoring for change may see this as the opportunity to peacefully protest and make their aspirations known. The recent activism of Cuban youth wearing white "Cambio" bracelets is a reflection of that desire for change. Here in the United States, it is a time to further nurture the human rights activists, political dissidents and independent-minded journalists inside of Cuba who have the capability to stoke the movement toward freedom."

"Let us hope that the long ruthless dictatorship of Fidel Castro is truly over, and that freedom and democracy may come to Cuba," McConnell said in a statement. "Replacing one dictator with another, as appears to be the case, isn't the answer to the repression, brutality and fear produced by five decades of Castro. But that doesn't diminish the hope for or the efforts toward the day when the Cuban people can choose their own leaders and enjoy the freedom that Castro so relentlessly denied."

From The Courier-Journal

Congressman Howard Berman (D-CA), Acting Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

"Washington, DC -- In response to this morning’s announcement that Cuban leader Fidel Castro has decided to retire, Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA), Acting Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement:

“For far too long, the Cuban people have been denied democratic freedoms, fundamental human rights, and the rule of law. I hope today’s announcement will mark a turning point in their struggle for a better life.

It is my intention to hold hearings with representatives of the Administration and outside experts to assess the impact of Castro’s retirement and to review U.S. policy toward the island. This development may provide an opportunity for the United States to inject creativity and fresh ideas into that policy to better achieve our common goal of bringing freedom to the people of Cuba.”

Acting Chairman Berman is the author of the “Berman Amendment”, a provision in the 1988 Omnibus Trade Act that prohibits the President from regulating the import or export of informational and cultural materials – such as books, paintings and movies – to Cuba and other nations under U.S. embargo. He has also been a leader in efforts to end restrictions on travel to Cuba."

Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

“The reign of Fidel Castro marked a brutal and dictatorial chapter for the Cuban people,” said Flake. “Let’s hope that his resignation opens a new chapter.”

"Whether that new chapter will be open, however, largely depends on a new approach to Cuba by the U.S. Government. The U.S. embargo gave Fidel a tremendous advantage in terms of lengthening his tenure. Let's not give his successor the same advantage by keeping the embargo in place.”

“It is important to realize that, as of this time, there has been no change in totalitarian Cuba. Fidel Castro has been critically ill and immobile for over a year and a half. Accordingly, he has decided to relinquish the titles of “President” of his “Council of State” and “Commander in Chief”. But in totalitarian Cuba, Fidel Castro’s absolute power is not based on titles. The dictator’s written declarations have the effect of totalitarian decrees, whether signed with the title “Commander in Chief” or “Comrade”, or simply with his name. What we all need to be concentrating on is the urgent need for a democratic transition in Cuba, beginning with the liberation of all political prisoners, the legalization of all political parties, labor unions and the press, and the scheduling of free, multiparty elections. Let us not get confused with the dictator’s titles or lack of them. For now, nothing has changed in totalitarian Cuba. It is time for the international community to unite to press for freedom for all the political prisoners and for free elections in Cuba,”