Castro is the odd man out

Observers feel that may be the case in Mexico today. President Vicente Fox, in the midst of domestic political turmoil, has broken ranks with Cuba's Fidel Castro and is sidling up more to the United States.

That's a small step for man. But it may signal a large stride for an entire hemisphere.

For decades, Cuba and Mexico have been joined at the hip. In recent months, however, relations have begun to deteriorate. And the conflict — showcased daily in newspaper headlines in Mexico — has played out like a high-stakes poker game, complete with raises and bluffs.

It began when Fox signed on to the Human Rights report sponsored by the United States that criticized Cuba's human rights violations. Castro, in classic revolutionary style, responded with some high-powered rhetoric directed at Mexico. For awhile, it seemed to be just another spat between family members. But when Fox shocked Cuba — and other nations — by sending the Cuban ambassador in Mexico packing and recalling Mexico's ambassador from Havana, the world could see serious change was afoot.

In short, Castro has built his nation on ideology. His values are purity of philosophy and principle. But Fox, schooled in the United States and a former director in the Coca-Cola Co., knows that world politics in the 21st century requires flexibility. And as much as Mexico resents the United States, Fox can see that the two countries will be bound by common interest and — to a degree — common populations for years to come.

Like a good politician, he has read the tea leaves, checked the wind and examined his bread to see which side has the butter. Throwing in with Castro would be folly. And with his administration parrying scandal and trying desperately to win another election for the PAN party in Mexico, Fox has forced Castro out of the game and is falling in line with the United States.

Castro, the idealogue he is, feels betrayed and is enraged.

As of this week, he is also much more alone in the world.

Not surprisingly, other Latin American nations are now re-examining their own relationships with Cuba. In 1964, the "Cuban experiment" looked like a socialist wave that promised to engulf the Southern Hemisphere. In 2004, the wave looks more like a mud puddle.

Fox's bold move will strengthen Mexico's status with the United States and buy him precious time.

We cheer his move.

As Americans have known for two centuries, freedom will always prove to be a headier potion than forced equality.

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