Castro and Obama

Two global figures, Fidel Castro and Barack Obama, celebrated their birthdays recently, 85 and 50, respectively. They were celebrated in their own way, and there are many differences between them, just as between their countries. The first rose to power on Feb. 1, 1959, and Obama did in January 2009. The Cuban resigned from the presidency on Feb. 19, 2008, but still makes plans for the country. The American seeks a first reelection for four years, something that is not easy by any means.

Castro was the Grand Chief of Cuba, while nine different U.S. presidents held office, with the circumstance that today the relationship between the two countries is slowly improving after a long complete enmity. Fidel delegated power to his brother, Raul, in 2006, and they are now 85 and 80 respectively. Raul, certainly not shaping up to be to be the successor, is planning reform. The country’s main player remains his older brother, despite the controversy surrounding him, a ruthless dictator to some and a builder of popular revolution to others. The birthday celebration was moderate, while Cuba waits hopefully for a new era after the two brothers.

President Obama is a new case in his country, as the first African-American president of the U.S.; without a doubt, he is an interesting but increasingly discussed character. His celebration was bitter. “More gray hair and lower popularity”* was one of the headlines that looked anxiously at the ruler. “I’m not doing well in the polls after turning 50, but I will be better when the 2012 elections get here,”* Obama said in a radio interview. When he assumed power in 2009, he was recognized with 63.3 percent popularity in the polls. That was in the U.S.; in the rest of the world he reached 90 percent. Upon turning 50, he hardly reached 40 percent in his country. Among Hispanics, he fell from 73 percent to 52 percent. “You are right, Hispanic friends, I have not been able to fulfill my promises of a comprehensive immigration reform, and unfortunately, the expulsions of illegal immigrants increased. It is painful, but it is not just the President who runs the U.S.”*

Obama is accused of mismanaging economics and national and international politics. He notes that the crisis and the wars were legacies left by Bush. Others say that like Bush, Obama is shaping up to experience a decrease in power, while China advances and may be much more powerful by the year 2050. But the U.S. defends itself, pointing out the quality of its universities among other things.

Another one of Obama’s problems is the advancement of the right-wing extremist tea party movement, which accuses him of being leftist. But the president and Clinton are willing to take new steps in talks with Cuba, while they criticize the former policies of their country with the island. The explanation of Clinton, Obama’s right-hand woman, is short and eloquent. “We need to talk because the final Cuban process is nearing.”*

*Quotes, accurately translated, were unable to be verified.