Who is raul castro

In response, the party has said one of the functions of its congress would be "confronting political and ideological subversion, which has made internet and social media its principal field of operations". But despite the change in leadership, few expect it will prompt a dramatic change in policy direction. A new constitution in confirmed state dominance of the economy and the "irrevocability of socialism". Mr Castro told the congress he was retiring as "a simple revolutionary fighter".

Cuba's new constitution: What's in and what's out. Image source, EPA. Not unexpected, but no less historic. End of an era. Image source, Getty Images.

There has been little sign of that exuberance since. It remains to be seen whether new ideas emerge at the April Congress. Certainly there will be much celebration of the country having created two vaccines of its own, Soberana 2 and Abdala, both now in late-stage trials. He has said allowing the leadership to age has been a mistake.

As to the other octogenarians and nonagenarians in the leadership structure, their political futures are unclear. President Barack Obama in that created the most extensive U.

Now, with Raul Castro stepping down as party leader amid change and challenges, some say the island needs continuity going forward. Sections U. Science Technology Business U.

Raul Castro resigns as Communist chief, ending era in Cuba. It was the first time that Fidel had officially ceded power, and it spurred speculation that Fidel's health was in decline. These were part of an ambitious economic initiative that included distinct reforms, many of which seemed to run counter to the economic policies established by Fidel Castro as part of the Cuban Revolution.

This was confirmed the following December when both Castro and Obama announced that they were working to normalize diplomatic relations, underlining these efforts by exchanging political prisoners. In July the Cuban embassy reopened in Washington, D. The visit made headlines for many reasons, not the least of which was the goodwill shared by the president and the pope. Castro even joked that he might even return to church under the pope's influence. On November 25, , Castro announced on Cuban state television the death of his brother Fidel at the age of