2006年VOA标准英语-Cuban Exiles in Miami Hopeful Castro Illness Ma

By Lisa Ferdinando
Miami
01 August 2006

A woman flies the Cuban flag from her vehicle as she drives in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood Tuesday   
  
Cuban exiles in Miami are celebrating the news that Cuban President Fidel Castro has temporarily handed power over to his brother Raul. But the joy has been tempered with calls for caution.

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Havana has not released further details about the condition of the 79-year-old Communist leader. The transfer of power is the first known time that Castro has ceded¹ power.

Cuban state-run television said late Monday that Mr. Castro suffered an intestinal² problem with sustained bleeding and would need several weeks to rest.

But Cuban exiles are celebrating the news in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood. They are hoping for political change after nearly five decades of Mr. Castro's rule.

Drialys Munoz is with a Spanish language radio station that was broadcasting live outside a popular Cuban restaurant where some exiles gathered to celebrate. "We want to come back to Cuba. We are very happy that Cuba is going to be free and that is why we are celebrating, all Cubans here.."

The lack of hard information from Havana has led to rumors³ here that Mr. Castro may have already died and raised questions about what will happen to Cuba after he is gone. Some Cuban exiles, including this one, urge caution. "It's too early to speculate."

The exiles say they simply want freedom for their country and do not want Raul to succeed his older brother.

Michael Hernandez is with a public affairs consulting group. "I think what everyone wants is to see eventually a democracy, freedom, the same freedoms we enjoy here and take for granted, over there," he said.

In Washington, the White House said there is no reason to believe the Cuban leader is dead and added the administration continues to assure the people of Cuba that the U.S. government stands ready to help.

1 ceded   

v.让给，割让，放弃( cede的过去式 )

参考例句：

• Cuba was ceded by Spain to the US in 1898. 古巴在1898年被西班牙割让给美国。
• A third of the territory was ceded to France. 领土的三分之一割让给了法国。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 intestinal   

adj.肠的；肠壁；肠道细菌

参考例句：

• A few other conditions are in high intestinal obstruction. 其它少数情况是高位肠梗阻。 来自辞典例句
• This complication has occasionally occurred following the use of intestinal antiseptics. 这种并发症偶而发生在使用肠道抗菌剂上。 来自辞典例句

3 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》