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| Castro’s worth $195m |
| 2004-02-28 |
| Syndey Morning Herald. Hat tip: Tim Blair, who lives in Rantburg’s sister city, Spleenville. Fidel Castro is worth $195 million, according to Forbes magazine, which included the Cuban president in its annual compilation of the world’s richest people. "See! Socialism works!" Although Castro was not one of the 587 people on the Forbes billionaires list, he was included in a special box for kings and governing classes. The weekly financial magazine’s description of the communist leader and the sources of his wealth was less than flattering. "They’re just jealous!" "The fatigues-fitted Cuban leader has lorded over an impoverished nation of 11 million people for the last 45 years," said the Forbes website. I guess socialism only works for some people. "El Lider is believed to have several lavish homes throughout Cuba. He travels exclusively in a convoy of black Mercedes-Benzes." What? No gold Caddies? "Deals struck with European companies - such as the reported $US50 million sale of Havana Club rum to French liquor company Pernod Ricard in 1993 - line Castro’s coffers with some $US20 million a year. Wherever there’s a ruthless tyrant, you’ll find French industry propping him up. "Concerns about his health persist," Forbes said of Castro. He’s still alive. Damnit! "He has reportedly named brother Raul as his successor." Because hereditary dynasty is the socialist way. One of my law professors at the University of Cincinnati was a Cuban who’d been one of Fidel’s college classmates. After the revolution, he was defense counsel for "enemies of the revolution." (To be an "enemy of the revolution," all you needed to do was be denounced by the secret police.) The trials took about ten minutes, and always ended in a guilty verdict. The appeal was heard in the room next door to the trial court, and appellate argument took another ten minutes. When the court of appeals affirmed, they took the defendant out into the courtyard and shot him. Prof. Carro got out as soon as he could. But, hey, they have universal literacy and health care, right? |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #10 TGA, Pappy - lol! On the brighter side, looks like someone is looking into Castro's finances -following the money - as they say. |
| Posted by: B 2004-2-29 12:32:07 AM |
| #9 Socialism must really be screwed up in Cuba. The Sugar for Food Program never really took off. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-2-28 11:29:57 PM |
| #8 Not that there is anything wrong with a 1958 Mercedes Benz. But I don't get it: 45 years of power and only stole 195 million dollars??? Socialism must really be screwed up in Cuba. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2004-2-28 8:37:15 PM |
| #7 Were they 1958 Mercedes Benzes? Didn't think so. That car restoration phenomenon down there must just be a hobby for the "little people". |
| Posted by: tu3031 2004-2-28 7:29:19 PM |
| #6 I can confirm the Mercedes-Benz caravan, I saw it once. El comandante does not buy American. |
| Posted by: Sorge 2004-2-28 2:37:52 PM |
| #5 Is this trickle-up economics? |
| Posted by: Raj 2004-2-28 12:45:02 PM |
| #4 Communism works!!! For him at least. |
| Posted by: JerseyMike 2004-2-28 10:57:27 AM |
| #3 Barbara Walters and numerous Hollywood Luminaries™ swear he's to die for |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-2-28 9:56:22 AM |
| #2 Although Castro was not one of the 587 people on the Forbes billionaires list, he was included in a special box for kings and governing classes I'd like that box to be about 7'long, 3' wide and made of pine. soon. dammit |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-2-28 9:44:59 AM |
| #1 "Beard gotta eat!" |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-2-28 9:04:41 AM |