Castro is trying to make virtue out of necessity; making de jure what has been de facto since he went into the hospital 17 months ago. Fidel has not run the country since July of 2006 but as long as he is alive no Cuban will dare challenge his power. The average Cuban, as well as the leaders, are far too afraid of physical retaliation from Castro. And with good reason. In fact, I suspect many Cubans will see this resignation as a trick by the Castro brothers to see who attempts to fill Castro’s shoes. On the other hand, the jockeying for position within the leadership, which has already begun, will intensify.