World

The New President Castro

by Jordan Yerman | February 24, 2008 at 12:06 pm

1024 views | 15 Recommendations | 5 comments

Update: It's official: Raul Castro is the new neader of Cuba.

Raul Castro has been unanimously selected to succeed his brother Fidel as leader by Cuba's National Assembly.
Fidel Castro stepped down last week after nearly half a century in charge.

Raul has in effect been president since Fidel had major surgery in July 2006. It is understood that he was the only nominee in a vote seen as a formality.

This seems mostly procedural: Raul Castro has been running Cuba for the past few years while his brother was ill.

Raul Castro has been nominated to be Cuba's next President, succeeding his sick brother Fidel Castro, a deputy says.

Fidel Castro retired five days ago after 49 years at the helm of the West's last communist country.

Raul Castro, 76, is expected to be confirmed president within hours by the National Assembly, deputy Julio Mendez said.

Raul Castro arrived at Parliament wearing a suit, not his military uniform.

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Jordan Yerman

at 12:14 on February 24th, 2008

This will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

working man

at 12:37 on February 24th, 2008

With any luck there will be another revolution in Cuba, a bit like in Rumania a few years back. One that delivers the people to democracy and not communist dictatorship. Communism has failed all civilised countries it got its claws in to. Good luck to the people of Cuba!

BigT

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:21 on February 24th, 2008

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

dunkelberg

at 18:24 on February 24th, 2008

Just want to make sure about this....these are the communists we don't hand all our money and trade over to ...

Sadly, not only will there be change for Cuba, there will be no change in the United States either.

While we pour billions of dollars in trade and debt into China, we look the other way only paying lip service to human rights violations. How many U.S. servicement did the Cubans kill since Castro took over? Anywhere as many as our trading partner Vietnam?

I am not saying Cuba is a panacea.

I am saying if the United States of America truly was interested in the Cuban people and working to relieve their suffering, this country would engage Cuba and stop its absurd, hypocritical and failed foreign policy.