Where is Raul?

Havana puzzled as new head of state fails to make public appearance

In this island capital8217;s long bus-stop lines and open markets, its offices and restaurants, the question keeps popping up: Where8217;s Raul? Raul Castro has yet to appear in public since being named temporary president of Cuba late Monday.

His absence is adding a layer of intrigue to the speculation-heavy ambiance that has settled over this city. Three days ago Fidel Castro8212;recovering from intestinal surgery8212;relinquished power to his younger brother.

8216;8216;I think Raul should have appeared by now, more than anything to calm the public and to show the world that everything is under control,8217;8217; said Joel, a taxi driver, who did not divulge his last name for fear of government reprisals.

Cuba8217;s government has not made an official proclamation about Fidel Castro8217;s health since late Tuesday evening, even as Cuban exiles and some US officials have questioned whether the Cuban leader, whose 80th birthday is this month, has already died. The closest to an official statement was delivered on Wednesday when Ricardo Alarcon, the Cuban National Assembly president, said Fidel Castro would not return to power for 8216;8216;some weeks8217;8217;. 8216;8216;Mentally speaking, for a person that has just gone through surgery, he was very, very alive in spirit, and alert,8217;8217; Alarcon said.

When asked where Raul Castro was and when he would appear in public, Alarcon said: 8216;8216;He8217;s in Havana. Where is Mr Cheney now?8217;8217;

Little news about international reaction to Fidel Castro8217;s illness is reaching Havana because most Cubans are prohibited from surfing the Internet or having satellite television. Instead, they must rely on state-run media. 8216;8216;We have no clear information8212;just rumours,8217;8217; said Gerardo Sanchez, a human-rights activist, who added he was concerned that political prisoners may be mistreated if they react positively to news that Fidel Castro has temporarily ceded power. Amnesty International says there are 72 political prisoners in Cuban prisons.

Raul Castro, 75, is the longtime head of Cuba8217;s military and for years has been considered his brother8217;s heir apparent. But his low public-profile8212;before and after the announcement of his brother8217;s surgery8212;has left some in Havana wondering whether he will be a figurehead.

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8216;8216;Raul is not coming out in public because he is still being controlled by Fidel,8217;8217; said Hector, a Havana street vendor, who did not disclose his last name. 8216;8216;The man is in charge even from his bed and his brother knows that. Even though they say Raul is governing, as long as Fidel lives he will be in charge.8217;8217;

8211;Cesar Gonzalez-Calero and Manuel Roig-Franzia