2 hours agoRaul Castro resigns from the position of Communist Party of Cuba
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)Raúl Castro has resigned from the position of the Communist Party of Cuba, which means that this country will not have someone from the Castro family among the top leaders, for the first time since his brother Fidel gained power in the 1959 Revolution. Raul Castro, 89, has [...]
Raul Castro, 89-year-old, made that announcement on April 16th, while giving a speech at the opening of the 8th Congress of the ruling party in Cuba.
He has said he will retire after “has fulfilled his” mission.
For as long as I live, I will be willing to protect the state, revolution and socialism with more force than ever before”, he said through a TV address.
Castro has not supported any of his descendants, but in the past he has shown support for Miguel Diaz-Canel, who has been elected president of Cuba, after Castro in 2018.
Fidel Castro led the 1959 Revolution, removing Fulgencio Batistan from power.
He has become chairman of Cuba's Communist Party in 1965, and has led the state until he hands over the presidency to Rowley in 2008.
Raul Castro is known for reaching agreement with former US President Barack Obama in 2014, which has resulted in strengthening ties between the two countries, though much of the deal was later overturned by the other former American president Donald Trump.
In the 16 April speech, Castro said Cuba continues to have respectful “talks with the US, but will never give up “the progress of revolution and socialism”.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki has said on the same day that the US is not planning changes in policies against Cuba.
The support for democracy and human rights will be the focus of our” efforts, she said, among other things.
