Guess who’s back? That’s right! The western hemisphere’s favorite oppressor and comandante — el Comandante, Fidel Castro. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water (off the shores of Havana that is).

According to Newsweek, Fidel Castro is getting better. And as Fidel gets better, he reasserts more of his authority. From 2006 to 2009 little brother Raul was in charge, making efforts to liberalize Cuba, especially the economy. But within the last year Fidel has blocked Raul’s economic reforms, has cracked down on activists, and has retracted a promise from Raul to discuss relations with the United States. Now, while he is healthy again, he is active in building a power structure in Cuba more in line with his view for the future of the revolution.

The shame is that Cuba is such a beautiful place, and it really has the potential to prosper. However, Fidel is so nostalgic for the revolution that he is blind to what he has done to his country. There is no significant elite anymore (other than the federal government) to protect his people from. His blend of oppression and radical communism has created one equal class for all Cubans — poor. This historical regression should be a model for Chavez and others in South America to learn from.

It’s funny. It is hard to think of Raul as a reformer. The popular belief was that much would be the same under him, if not worse. But much to the surprise and relief of Cubans, Cuban-Americans, and American diplomats, they were not. It goes to show you that nothing will take you out of retirement faster than being replaced by your little brother. Now, as Newsweek puts it, everyone is back to where they were a few years ago, just waiting for Fidel to die. Take it away Maria Conchita Alonso.

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