After 49 years, Castro finally sings his swan song

Yesterday an ailing 80-year-old Fidel Castro announced he is finally stepping down.

Fidel Castro - Associated PressCastro's rule spanned 49 years, the longest in world history for a head of government. Bush says he hopes the announcement points to the beginning of a democratic transition.

We're pretty sure most Americans hope Cuba's tourism doors will open once again.

"My wishes have always been to discharge my duties to my last breath," Castro wrote in a letter published Tuesday in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma. "...it would be a betrayal to my conscience to accept a responsibility requiring more mobility and dedication than I am physically able to offer."

As Cubans wake up this morning they are just learning about the letter that Castro released in the early pre-dawn hours.

In 2005, the United States formulated a detailed plan for American assistance to ensure a democratic transition for the island's 11.2 million people who would be affected by Castro's death. Raul Castro, the younger brother has been running the show since July 31, 2006, when Castro temporarily ceded power. This morning Cuban officials are insisting Raul will continue the socialist and economic systems in Cuba.

"The adversary to be defeated is extremely strong," Castro wrote Tuesday. "However, we have been able to keep it at bay for half a century."

On New Year's Day, 1959, Castro seized control in an armed revolution and reshaped Cuba into a communist state - 90 miles from US shores. Castro has survived CIA-fueled invasions, numerous assassination attempts and the Bay of Pigs missile crisis in 1961 that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Ten US administrators have done their best to oust Castro.

The world will be watching Cuba this week as Fidel Castro steps down. The younger brother is a shoo-in as the next president, but other players in the council are less certain. And will the shift in power give the US a foothold in a door they've been knocking at for more than 59 years.

It's a little too early to consider Cuban beaches as your next vacation spot, but not too soon to be optimistic that door may finally open once again.