Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in a letter read on television on Monday that he would not cling to office or obstruct the rise of a new generation of leaders, raising speculation about his political future.
"My basic duty is not to cling to office, nor even more so to obstruct the rise of people much younger, but to pass on experiences and ideas whose modest value arises from the exceptional era in which I lived," said Castro, who stepped aside from Cuba's presidency "temporarily" more than 16 months ago after undergoing surgery.
Raul Castro?
Castro, 81, appeared to hint in his letter that he would leave the nation's top leadership to his brother Raul Castro, 76, who has served as interim leader since July 31 last year.
Fidel Castro has not been seen in public other than on TV since his surgery, but weekly opinion pieces of his on global affairs have been published in Cuba's newspapers since March.
The letter, which was shown to bear his signature on television, rekindled speculation on the elder Castro's political future, with some Cubans believing it signaled his political demise, while for others it suggested he would continue in power until the bitter end.
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