Cuban Leader Raúl Castro Will Stay In Power Until April

DW: Cuba: Raul Castro's presidency prolonged by National Assembly

Cuba's legislative body has extended its term to April of 2018, delaying President Raul Castro's historic transfer of power. The aging leader's departure will mark the end of six decades of rule under the Castro family.

The Cuban National Assembly announced on Thursday that it was extending its legislative period to April 18, 2018. The move effectively changes the end date of Cuban president Raul Castro's tenure.

The decision was made due to the "exceptional situation" created by Hurricane Irma's impact on the island this September, which caused significant infrastructure damage and left ten people dead.

Read more ....

WNU Editor:  Raul Castro is 86 .... he is not running the government right now .... and while he is holding the title of President, I would not be surprised if it is Cuba's First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel who is in charge (see above photo of Cuba's First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel). As to the explanation that because of Hurricane Irma elections must be delayed .... hence delaying the retirement of President Raul Castro .... this is unconvincing to me. The candidates have already been chosen .... the election has already been fixed .... and the winners have already been chosen. There is something else at play right here .... and I suspect that it is coming from those who oppose  the direction that Cuba is going, specifically those who oppose the succession of Cuba's First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel to the Presidency.

More News On Reports That Cuban Leader Raúl Castro Will Be Staying In Power Until April

Cuba postpones historic handover from Castro to new president -- Reuters
Cuba says current leadership to remain through April -- AP
Cuban leader Raúl Castro will stay in power past February -- Miami Herald
Who Will Be Cuba's Next President? Raúl Castro's Retirement Delayed by Two Months -- Newsweek
Raul Castro to Stay in Office Until April as Cuba Extends Term -- Bloomberg
Cuban President Raul Castro, 86, will step down in April after an election to choose his successor -- Daily Mail