Raul Castro resigns as leader of the Cuban Communist Party. The 89-year-old Castro confirmed his widely anticipated resignation Friday on the first day of a major party convention in Havana. It is not known who will succeed him in the leadership of the party.
Castro’s resignation marks the formal end of the Castro era, which began with the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s. Castro succeeded his brother Fidel in 2008, who was struggling with his health. ‘El Lider’ passed away in November 2016 at the age of 90.
According to Castro, it is time to transfer power to the younger generation. In television clips of his speech, the former president said he could satisfactorily hand over his leadership to a group of party loyalists with decades of experience. He also told the hundreds of attendees that until his death he was ready to “defend the homeland, revolution and socialism.”
Although Castro’s successor has yet to be appointed, it is likely that 60-year-old Miguel Diaz-Canel will take over the role. He also took over from Castro as President of Cuba in 2018.
