National

Fidel Castro to Relinquish Power

By Michel Martin, Tom Gjelten

Published February 19, 2008 at 9:00 AM PST

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Cuba's President Fidel Castro has resigned, saying he will not seek re-election after 49 years in power. The 81-year-old leader underwent intestinal surgery in July 2006, which was marked with a transfer of power to his 76-year-old brother, Raul.

NPR correspondent Tom Gjelten discusses Castro's reign as the world's longest ruling head of state, and the significance of his resignation.

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Michel Martin

Michel Martin is the weekend host of All Things Considered and host of the Consider This Saturday podcast, where she draws on her deep reporting and interviewing experience to dig in to the week's news. Outside the studio, she has also hosted "Michel Martin: Going There," an ambitious live event series in collaboration with Member Stations.

Tom Gjelten

Tom Gjelten reports on religion, faith, and belief for NPR News, a beat that encompasses such areas as the changing religious landscape in America, the formation of personal identity, the role of religion in politics, and conflict arising from religious differences. His reporting draws on his many years covering national and international news from posts in Washington and around the world.