New Cuban President: Raul Castro

Well, it’s official.  Raul Castro is the new president of Cuba.  I’m curious to see if there will be any changes made as Raul seems to be a little more liberal than Fidel, but it’s really just a crapshoot right now.  Here’s an article about the change:

HAVANA (AFP) — Cuba’s parliament has elected Raul Castro president after nearly 50 years of rule by his brother Fidel, in a historic milestone which seems set to keep the Caribbean island on the communist path.

After years in Fidel’s charismatic shadow as Cuba’s number two and defense minister, Raul Castro faces massive challenges, including preparing the transition of power to a newer generation and reforming the economy.

“Fidel is irreplaceable; the people will continue his work when he is no longer with us physically, though his ideas always will be here,” Raul Castro, 76, told lawmakers in his acceptance speech late Sunday.

In the 19 months since he took over as temporary leader, Raul Castro has made some minor adjustments in the economy, but has promised bigger changes.

But he has made it clear that everything will take place “within socialism” and that solutions to the country’s problems will come “little by little.”

People in the street voiced hopes that the new president would usher in long-sought economic reforms to improve their daily lives.

“This is the best that could have happened to Cuba,” Carlos Muguercia, a 78-year-old craftsman said. “Raul already knows the situation. He knows how to solve problems, in any case the most serious ones.”

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