The news yesterday that Fidel Castro is stepping down as Head of State of Cuba has been a front-page story around the world. However, some governments, such as Costa Rica's, downplayed the significance of his departure.

Alejandra Oconotrillo says, “more freedom with Raúl.”

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The Oscar Arias administration, which does not maintain official diplomatic ties with Cuba, said, “There will not be any substantial change that will allow the establishment of a western democracy in Cuba until Fidel is dead,” said Arias, according to newswire EFE.

In an official statement, Costa Rica's Foreign Ministry said “the political retirement of the president of Cuba is being followed with interest by the ministry.” However it went on to say that the announcement “does not provide evidence to any significant change.”

The statement also said that this country is “continuing to support the people of Cuba's desires for democracy, just as it reiterates its opposition to the economic blockade that has harmed and caused suffering to the Cuban people.”

However expected it was, the gravity of the news was felt the world over from the moment it emerged yesterday morning.

In a statement posted on the Web site of Cuban-government controlled newspaper Granma, Castro said, “I neither will aspire to nor will I accept, the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief.

“It would betray my conscience to take up a responsibility that requires mobility and total devotion that I am not in a physical condition to offer,” he said.

Sonia Marta García says, “now they can move toward democracy.”

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His replacement will be decided at a meeting of the newly elected parliament on Sunday.

The announcement is not especially surprising as Castro had recently hinted at his decision, declaring it was his duty “ not to cling to positions, much less to stand in the way of younger persons.”

Shoppers in downtown San José showed mixed reaction to the news. Some confessed that they were either unaware or not interested. For others, the move was broadly welcomed.

Alejandra Oconotrillo, a 25-year-old student, said, “I think it is good. I think there will be more democracy, more freedom and liberty with Raúl in charge. Communism is finished so something needs to change in Cuba.”

Sonia Marta García, 71, agreed. “It is good that he has retired. Now they can move toward democracy, moving away from the communist regime and freeing themselves from poverty. Fidel Castro resigning is very important for freedom in Cuba after years of dictatorship.

Guillermo Vargas, 33, who works for the municipality of San José, sounded a more cautious note. “It [power] will just pass on to his brother. There will be no change as the power of the president will stay in the family.”

Francisco Quesada says, “wait a few months to see what happens.”

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Francisco Quesada, 70, said it was too early to make a judgment on the importance of the announcement. “It is too early to say what will happen. The family will stay in power so we need to wait a few months to see what happens, to see if Cuba stays the same or if it changes.”

His friend Gaston, 74, agreed, but added that he thought that in Costa Rica, “there is some resentment of Cuba,” given Cuba's support for militant groups in Latin America during the Cold War.

The charismatic 81-year-old leader, who has ruled the Caribbean island for 49 years, is a key figure in 20th century history – particularly given his influence and Cuba's strategic importance in the context of the Cold War. The presence of an openly communist state so close to the United States almost led the world to nuclear war during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Despite several U.S.-backed assassination attempts and a trade embargo, Castro has outlasted nine U.S. presidents.

However, Castro has not been seen in public since July 2006, when he ceded power to his brother Raúl on medical grounds. Although Castro's health is a state secret, it is widely known he underwent surgery for intestinal and digestive problems, probably diverticulitis.