Non-Subscriber Extract
Fidel Castro resigns Cuban presidency
19 February 2008
Cuban President Fidel Castro effectively retired as leader of Cuba on 19 February when he announced he would "neither seek nor accept" a new term as president and commander in chief when the national assembly re-convenes on 24 February.
Fidel's announcement will have relatively little immediate impact in terms the daily administration of Cuba, since Raul Castro has held most of the powers of the presidency since Fidel announced in July 2006 that he was temporarily retiring to undergo surgery.
Raul has shown signs of being more inclined than Fidel to consider limited economic reforms, however, the extent of likely reforms under Raul should not be exaggerated. Despite his differences with Fidel, he is one of the survivors of the 1950s revolutionary old guard and remains firmly dedicated to preserving the long-term future of the Communist regime.
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Raul Castro is likely to be appointed as president. However, he recognises this would be a continuation of the ongoing transition to a younger generation of Communist leaders, a process that begun in July 2006. |