History in the Making | Cubans marvel at rare questioning of Castro

Cuban President Raul Castro checks his watch near the end of a joint news conference with President Barack Obama at the Palace of the Revolution

Cubans were glued to their televisions yesterday [Macau time], many watching in a state of shock as President Raul Castro faced tough questions from American journalists who challenged him to defend Cuba’s record on human rights and political prisoners.
In a country where publicly questioning the authority of Castro and his brother and predecessor Fidel is unthinkable for most, and where the docile state-run media almost always toe the party line, the live broadcast was must-see TV. Some also marveled at tough questioning of President Barack Obama, simply unaccustomed to seeing any leader challenged in such a way.
“This is pure history and I never thought I’d see something like this,” said Marlene Pino, a 47-year-old engineer. “It’s difficult to quickly assimilate what’s happening here. For me it’s extraordinary to see this.”
“It’s like a movie, but based on real life,” said Ricardo Herrera a 45-year-old street food vendor.
In one eye-catching moment, Castro’s response suggested that perhaps Havana is not always perfect on human rights. He argued that no country is, said it is incumbent on all to try to do better and defended his government’s support of what it considers important human rights issues: providing universal, free education and health care.
At an outdoor cafe in the Vedado neighborhood, about a dozen Cubans and tourists watched in awed silence as both Castro and Obama spoke. One stunned woman held a hand to her mouth.
“It’s very significant to hear this from our president, for him to recognize that not all human rights are respected in Cuba,” said Raul Rios, a 47-year-old driver who also expressed agreement with the president’s more nuanced explanation about rights and his argument that that no country is perfect.
“We are living in historic times, the United States and Cuba,” Rios added. “Nobody could have imagined this in the past. I think this marks a before and after.”
It’s extremely rare for Castro to hold a news conference, though he sometimes takes questions from reporters spontaneously when the mood strikes. He’s known as a much more cautious and reluctant public speaker than his loquacious older brother Fidel, who was given to talking for hours at a time and often directly with journalists.
The Cuban government and the Communist Party control nearly all media in Cuba, including TV and radio channels and print newspapers. There are a handful of independent online outlets, though more critical ones like dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez’s 14ymedio are blocked on the island — and certainly never get access to the president or other top officials.
The news conference also included an exchange between Castro and CNN reporter Jim Acosta, a second-generation Cuban-American, who asked about political prisoners in Cuba.
Castro testily addressed Acosta directly, saying “After this meeting is over, you can give me a list of political prisoners, and if we have those political prisoners, they will be released before tonight ends.”
Nudging Cuba toward democracy, President Barack Obama will cast a spotlight on political repression and economic misery here today when he meets with dissidents and speaks to the Cuban people at the close of a trailblazing trip. MDT/AP

Violeta Arango and her son Oscarito watch U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at Jose Marti airport, broadcast live on Cuban television inside their home in Havana