Fidel Castro’s resignation as president raises the prospect that Cuba can become a more open and dynamic society. For the foresee­able future, change may fall well short of the kind of democratic transformation that Cuba needs to fully achieve its potential, but even limited reforms would be welcome. The US, Europe and other world powers can help by seeking to engage with Cuba’s government. Now more than ever it is time for the US to abandon its four-decade-old economic embargo.

For decades, US policy towards Cuba has been based on the premise that Mr Castro’s departure would trigger wholesale change and pave the way for a restoration of democracy. The events of the past few days suggest that this is highly unlikely to occur.