Fidel Castro resigned from running CuBa. The United States, bent on blocking Fidel Castro's plans for his younger brother to succeed him, built a detailed plan in 2005 for American assistance to ensure a democratic transition on the island of 11.2 million people after his death... The 81-year-old Castro's overnight announcement effectively ends his rule of almost 50 years over Cuba, positioning his 76-year-old brother [Raul Castro] for permanent succession to the presidency... More uncertain is who will be chosen as Raul's new successor, although 56-year-old council Vice President [Carlos Lage], who is Cuba's de facto prime minister, is a strong possibility. "Raul is also old," allowed Isabel, a 61-year-old Havana street sweeper. She speculated that he could be succeeded by Lage, Foreign Minister [Felipe Perez Roque], "or another younger person with new eyes."

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