Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who ruled the country for nearly half a century, announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as president.
In a written statement, published on the official Communist party's website Granma, Castro said he would not accept a new term as president when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.
"I will not aspire nor accept, I repeat, I will not aspire or accept — the post of president of the council of state and commander in chief," read the letter signed by the 81-year-old president.
Although there has been much speculation about his position as leader since he fell ill in July 2006, there had been no advance warning of Castro's plan to permanently give up power.
Since his time in power, Castro has been praised by some for improving education and health care for the Cuban population. But critics have condemned him as a totalitarian dictator, who ran a repressive regime that quashed individual rights and carried out political executions.
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In a written statement, published on the official Communist party's website Granma, Castro said he would not accept a new term as president when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.
"I will not aspire nor accept, I repeat, I will not aspire or accept — the post of president of the council of state and commander in chief," read the letter signed by the 81-year-old president.
Although there has been much speculation about his position as leader since he fell ill in July 2006, there had been no advance warning of Castro's plan to permanently give up power.
Since his time in power, Castro has been praised by some for improving education and health care for the Cuban population. But critics have condemned him as a totalitarian dictator, who ran a repressive regime that quashed individual rights and carried out political executions.
Full story
What will be Castro's legacy?
More...