Díaz-Canel replaces Castro as Cuban leader

Miguel Díaz-Canel had been widely expected to take over from Raúl Castro[/caption] Miguel Díaz-Canel has been sworn in as Cuba’s new president, replacing Raúl Castro who took over from his ailing brother Fidel in 2006. It is the first time since the revolution in 1959 that a Castro is not at the helm of the government. Mr Díaz-Canel had been serving as first vice-president for the past five years. Even though Mr Díaz-Canel was born after the revolution, he is a staunch ally of Raúl Castro and is not expected to make any radical changes. ‘The Revolution continues its course’ He was elected by the members of the National Assembly, all 605 of whom were voted in in March after standing unopposed. Mr Castro is expected to continue wielding considerable political influence in his role as the leader of Cuba’s ruling Communist Party. The new leader will have to consider how to overcome the problems caused by the economic collapse of Cuba’s ally, Venezuela, and what kind of relationship the Caribbean island wants with the US under Donald Trump. Last year, the new American president reimposed certain travel and trade restrictions eased by the Obama administration but did not reverse key diplomatic and commercial ties. But what most Cubans will judge the new leader on is whether their day-to-day lives improve. Source: BBC]]>