And will no doubt soon shuffle off this mortal coil.

So what’s next for the degenerate workers’ state in the Caribbean where dancing and copious amounts of recreational sex are pretty much the only forms of creative self-expression allowed and encouraged by those in power?

Various world leaders are today expressing the hope that Castro’s exit will create the conditions necessary for a transition to democracy in Cuba. Would that it were so simple. Castro the elder may be the figurehead of ‘El Revolucion’, but the stalinist state does not depend on him. Or even on Fidel’s sprightly, 76-year old brother Raúl, who will no doubt be crowned head of state, and combine this role with that of head of the armed forces.

Democratic change in Cuba will have to come from the ranks as well as a change of leadership at the very top, and there is little that the governments of democratic countries can do here.

George W Bush – who in his last months in power looks as if he might be doing something useful with his time – has said:

“The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for a democracy, and eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections. And we’re going to help. The United States will help the people of Cuba realise the blessings of liberty.”

Just keep the federal fingers out of the Cuban pie, George. And also those of US corporations who given half a chance would recreate Fulgencio Batista’s den of vice and iniquity.

¡Ya basta! Enough of the degenerate workers’ state, and long live the Cuban people. They surely deserve much better than this.