BOSTON -- After nearly 50 years in power, Cuban leader Fidel Castro resigned Tuesday.

NewsCenter 5's Bianca de la Garza reported that the 81-year-old communist leader has not been well for sometime now. His younger brother, Raul, has been chosen as his successor, but it has brought a mixed reaction, not only from the Bush administration, but also from local residents.

After four decades in Boston, Aida Lopez, 72, has never forgotten the words to the national anthem or the government that ruled her life.

"They take everything from us," Lopez said. "I don't know if I live to see Boston Red Sox win World Series or Castro resign. I guess it's a happy day."

Albert Vasallo said that he doubts anything will change under Castro's brother. His father fled Cuba in exile and created the local Latino newspaper, El Mundo, 35 years ago. Raul Castro was making headlines then.

"Elections will be a scam handpicked by Castro," Vasallo said.

Cuban American University of Massachusetts professor Miren Uriarte is hopeful Raul Castro can improve international relations. She gives Fidel Castro credit for making the decision to step aside.

"I think it's an honest assessment of what he can do," she said. "He has made many mistakes. If I'm looking at social policy, if I look at political openness, they have not done well."