Cubans hope for change and no turmoil as Castro retires

By Rosa Tania Valdes

HAVANA (Reuters) - For decades, Fidel Castro's enemies have hoped his death or retirement would send thousands of Cubans onto the streets to demand democratic reforms.

But when it finally came on Tuesday, with the ailing 81-year-old communist revolutionary saying he would not return to the presidency, Cubans took it all in their stride.

Although some were saddened by Castro's retirement and others hoped it would herald economic changes, no one was ready to predict major changes to Cuba's one-party rule.

People went about their lives as usual and there appeared to be little or no increase in the police presence on the quiet and muggy streets of Havana.

Most Cubans have only lived under one leader and the charismatic socialist revolutionary still has the admiration of many, even if they dislike elements of his authoritarian rule and believe government policies have wrecked the economy.

"His body gave up after so many years fighting for social justice and the independence of Cuba from American control," said a saddened psychology professor, who identified himself only as Dr Alvizu.

"He was ill," said Milagros, a housewife returning from a farmers market with papayas and guavas. "But things will be OK, because there are well-prepared cadre to go on."

Castro ruled with a firm grip after seizing power in a 1959 revolution, but has not been seen in public since undergoing intestinal surgery in July 2006 and few Cubans were surprised when he finally announced his retirement on Tuesday.