Cuba has chosen First Vice-President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, 57, as sole candidate to succeed Raul Castro as president of Cuba, the centrepiece of an effort to ensure the country's single-party system outlasts the aging revolutionaries who created it.

In a momentous change for the island, for the first time in nearly 60 years, its leader’s last name isn’t Castro. Official On Deck To Succeed Castros Still A Question Mark To Many Cubans Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba's new vice president, has been tapped to take over from Raul Castro … President Raul Castro, who took over after his brother Fidel’s death 12 years ago and led big changes in Cuba, retires on Thursday. Cuba has chosen First Vice-President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, 57, as sole candidate to succeed Raul Castro as president of Cuba, the centrepiece of an effort to ensure the country's single-party system outlasts the aging revolutionaries who created it. Members of Cuba's National Assembly are holding a two-day session in Havana which will mark the end of the Castro era. Cuban President Raul Castro on Sunday voted alongside thousands of people in municipal elections that kick off the process to end his family’s hold on the island nation. Q&A: Who Will Succeed Castro? Scroll Staff. Now that Fidel Castro is gone at age 90, and Raul Castro is 85 .. this question will be lingering on a lot of people's minds. General Castro has not stated whether at the 7 th Congress of the Communist Party (PCC), to be held next April, he will step down as the party's First Secretary, a position that gives him the "right" to continue for another five years, in accordance with the rules adopted at the organization's meeting in 2011. Miguel Díaz-Canel is likely to succeed Raúl Castro as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, the most powerful position of Cuba in 2021. By Roberto Alvarez Quinones Diario de Cuba January 11, 2016. Early life. For the first time in the lives of most Cubans, a man not named Castro will lead the Communist-run island nation. In February, 53-year-old Miguel Diaz-Canel was named first vice president and in line to succeed Raul Castro, now in a second five-year-term as president. Cuba just got a new president. Cuban President Raul Castro is due to hand over the reins to his successor this year. By Roberto Alvarez Quinones Diario de Cuba January 11, 2016. 14-01-2016: Who will succeed Raul Castro? Earlier in the day Raul's arrival, together with Fidel, and was warmly greeted by more than 600 assembly members. President Raúl Castro, who took over as Cuba’s president from his ailing brother Fidel in 2006, will step down at the meeting. After 47 years as the leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro has shifted power, temporarily, to his brother Raul as he undergoes surgery for gastrointestinal bleeding. Pro The uncertainty over who will succeed Raúl Castro makes it unwise for the United States to change its policy before a new leader is in place. Cuba nominates Miguel Diaz-Canel to succeed Raul Castro as president This is the first time a person from outside the Castro family will lead the country since 1959. Members of Cuba’s National Assembly will gather for a two-day session in Havana later on Wednesday which will mark the end of the Castro era. Cuban Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel (left) is likely to succeed Raul Castro (right) when he steps down as president in 2018. 14-01-2016: Who will succeed Raul Castro? All the indications are that First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez will assume the presidency after the Castro brothers, becoming the first leader of the country who was born after the legendary Cuban Revolution. He would succeed Raul Castro if he is unable to serve his second full term in office. On the heels of U.S. President Trump’s backwards move in relations with Cuba, elections in the island nation are ramping up. General Raúl Castro has stated that he will retire when he finishes his second term as president of Cuba, in 2018, even indicating that he then plans to head to Mexico to summer there. President Raul Castro, who took over after his brother Fidel’s death 12 years ago and led big changes in Cuba, retires on Thursday. Fidel and Raúl Castro have been leading Cuba since the revolution in 1959. General Raúl Castro has stated that he will retire when he finishes his second term as president of Cuba, in 2018, even indicating that he then plans to head to Mexico to summer there.