In his resignation letter – printed on the front page of Cuba’s state-run publication, Granma – Fidel Castro writes of his failing health and his inability to continue as Cuba’s president. “This I say devoid of all drama,” he writes.

It is a perfect description of how the news has been received, both in Cuba and stateside, and how the transition of power will occur in Cuba. Despite front-page news of Castro’s resignation, residents in Cuba were not celebrating in the streets. There were no large rallies, no battle cries and no protests.

The news was delivered and received, devoid of all drama.

In Miami, home to more Cubans and Cuban-Americans than any other U.S. city, the lack of celebration was similar. Modest gatherings were reported in Miami’s Little Havana, but response to the news was largely sedate, especially compared to the celebrations in July 2006, when Castro temporarily ceded power to his brother, Raul Castro, Cuba’s Council of State’s first vice president.

Castro’s resignation marks the end of a political career for one of the longest-serving, most divisive leaders in the world, but it will not create a dramatically different Cuba. Although the end of Castro’s defiant leadership will be mentioned in history books, the chapter will remain largely unchanged.

“He’s aware of his place in history, and he’s going to keep on occupying that place in one way or another,” said a Cuban retiree, according to a CNN.com article.

President Bush said Tuesday he hopes for a transition toward democracy for Cuba and vowed that the U.S. would be an ally in the process, according to a White House press release.

The possibility of a democratic transition for Cuba is weak, as Castro will have a continued presence in Cuba, likely through his brother, Raul, who has been publicly named as his successor.

If Raul Castro is named the new president of Cuba, it is unlikely that the country’s government will see much change. Although he is widely viewed as more practical and down-to-earth than his brother, Raul Castro has also been called his brother’s enforcer, according to a 2006 article on Time.com. He may take a different approach toward the country’s communist model, but he will not embrace democracy.

When he took temporary control of the country in July 2006, Raul Castro maintained the status quo. At the time, experts suggested that though he may be more interested in the Chinese model of Communism, which could ease restrictions on private businesses, he would also embrace China’s hard line on political freedoms, according to Time.com.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said Tuesday that the U.S. will not lift its embargo on Cuba, and he doesn’t see a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba “happening any time soon,” according to a CNN.com article.

Because Raul Castro will maintain his brother’s connection to government and his oppressive political position, and because the U.S. plans to maintain its policy toward Cuba, life for Cuban residents and Cuban-Americans will remain much the same.

The transition will occur, devoid of all drama.

Kara Peterson is an advertising/public relation graduate student from Fort Worth.