Haven't read right through this thread yet so my points may already have been covered.
Earlier this year Irish television ran a film based on what would happen when Castro died (or left office - but preferably died).
Apart from the elderly and somewhat sad nutters who were itching to get back and take their revenge, it concentrated on the business opportunities that would be opened up, particularly the hotels that could be built to attract wealthy tourists. The speakers said that some adjustments would have to be made to Cuba's economy, the main ones being, a cessation of the welfare system, an end to free health care and education, and 'a move towards Cubans taking full responsibilty for their own lives'.
My early awareness of Cuba was when, under Batista, it was known as 'America's open sewer'. It would seem that there are those who would have it revert to that role.
Personally, I hope Castro lives to be a thousand; anybody who has given the finger to the most powerful and avaricious nation on earth for half a century has my undying respect.
Jim Carroll