Center for International Policy

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Raul Castro confirmed as Cuba's president

CTV.ca News Staff

Cuban lawmakers have officially named Raul Castro as Cuba's new president today, ending his older brother Fidel's nearly 50-year run as leader.

Raul Castro, 76, has headed the communist country for the past 19 months after Fidel underwent emergency intestinal surgery. Fidel announced this past week he would not seek another term as president.

The 614-member National Assembly, elected on Jan. 20, will select a 31-member Council of State headed by a president. The president will be head of state and government.

Fidel, 81, had held the job since 1976, when the current government structure was developed. For 18 years before that, he was prime minister -- a position that no longer exists. He will remain a National Assembly member and will head the Communist Party as first secretary.

If Raul had not gotten the job, it would be a huge shock.

Besides his elder brother, the country's long-time defence minister is supported by "Raulistas" -- top military men.

A surprise move was the naming of 77-year-old revolutionary leader Jose Ramon Machado as Castro's No. 2 at the defence ministry. The move is expected to assure the old guard that no significant political changes will occur soon.

Five generals are members of the Communist Party's 21-member Politburo. Two run the interior and sugar ministries. Unlike many Latin American countries, Castro's Cuba hasn't experienced a military rebellion.

In a telephone call from Castro, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reaffirmed his support of Cuba.

Raul's leadership style

Last year, Raul Castro hinted in a speech that some "structural changes" are required in Cuba's economy -- although it is also hobbled by a U.S. trade embargo. It was a signal to many that there were differences between the brothers' political plans.

Wayne S. Smith, the director of the Center for International Policy's Cuba Program, told CTV Newsnet that changes can be expected under the new president, but not sweeping ones.

"The future will not change much," Smith said shortly after Raul Castro's confirmation as president. "I don't think that Raul will bring in sweeping reforms.

"None the less, Cuba has been ruled by Fidel Castro for almost half a century, it will not be the same without him."

But Smith added that while the world may be seeing drastic change in Cuba, life will be much the same for Cuba's citizens.

"The people of Cuba will take this in stride," Smith said. "They know perfectly well it doesn't mean any great change (for) their lives."

But analysts are noting some differences between the Castro brothers in terms of economic policy.

Ken Frankel, chair of the Canadian Council of the Americas, told CTV Newsnet on Sunday that some subtle changes have already occurred in how the economy operates and in the seeking of feedback from Cubans.

"This will continue under Raul, in my opinion," Frankel said.

Raul is considered to be pragmatic and highly organized. "The sense is ... he's open to ideas," he said.

"It's known that Raul is an admirer of the Vietnamese and Chinese economic model, for example."

Those countries maintain the political repressiveness of communism with a largely capitalist economy.

Although Raul can be warm, especially with the troops, he can be very tough, having done some dirty work for his older brother.

Raul oversaw the executions of officials from the deposed government of dictator Fulgencio Batista. He voted to uphold the death penalty for Gen. Arnaldo Ochoa, once one of his closest friends, after the general and three others were convicted of drug trafficking.