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.

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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

A New President For Cuba In 2018

Miguel Diaz-Canel with Cuban President Raoul castro. Foto Desmond Boylan/Reuters/Público

Miami Herald: The countdown begins for Raúl Castro’s retirement in 2018

A year from now — on Feb. 24 — something is expected to occur in Cuba that hasn’t happened in more than 40 years: a non-Castro will occupy the presidency.

The coming year will be one of definitions in Cuba. But right now there is only uncertainty — not only about how the transition will proceed but also about the future of Cuba’s relationship with the United States with President Donald Trump at the helm.

In 2013, Raúl Castro told Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power, the parliament, that he planned to retire from the presidency of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers on Feb. 24, 2018. His heir apparent became Miguel Díaz-Canel, a party stalwart who at the time was promoted to first vice president of both councils.

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WNU Editor: As I had predicted 4 years ago .... Miguel Díaz-Canel will be the next President of Cuba .... Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba’s New No. 2, Respected As Smart And Personable -- McClatchy News (Febraury 25, 2017). More here .... Miguel Diaz-Canel Will Be The Next President Of Cuba After Raul Castro Steps Down (November 29, 2016). But will Cuba change .... the answer is no. Raoul Castro will still be head of the Communist Party .... and the leadership of that  institution is packed with Castro ideologues and supporters. For Cuba to really and truly change .... Raoul Castro has to pass away, and Miguel Díaz-Canel .... if he is the reformer that many are telling me that he is .... will need a couple of years to pack the Communist Party with his own people. I give 10 years .... and after that .... maybe .... just maybe .... Cuba will change for the better.

A Look At The Castro Brothers

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro (L) attends the opening session of the National Assembly of the People's Power beside his brother, Cuban President Raul Castro, in Havana February 24, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Ismael Francisco/Courtesy of Cubadebate/Handout

The Slow Demise Of The Castros In Cuba -- Jorge Ramos, Fusion

Here in Miami, Fidel Castro is killed by word of mouth several times a year.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I read on Twitter that the former Cuban dictator had died, and that soldiers were patrolling the streets of Havana, trying to keep order. But a few days later, the 87-year-old Castro appeared in a photograph with a daughter of Hugo Chávez, the late former president of Venezuela.

I've lost count of how many times Castro has died and come back to life in recent years. But sooner or later, news of his demise will be true.

It is no secret that major media outlets in the United States have already prepared obituaries and begun planning their coverage of Castro's death. Many of the articles will likely center on the notion that "Castrismo" in Cuba can't survive without Fidel Castro and that democracy just might have a chance to flourish on the island once he is gone. But Castro's demise wouldn't necessarily portend the demise of his ideas. Many people thought that "Chavismo" would die right along with Chávez, but his successor, Nicolas Maduro, has proved that it's possible to maintain an authoritarian ideology even after a leader dies - and even if it leads the country into ruin.

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My Comment: The Castro family will be held accountable (one day) for the harm that they have done to Cuba. Unfortunately .... I doubt that the Castro brothers will be around when that day happens.

Cuban President Raul Castro Ponders Retirement

Photo: Cuban President Raul Castro. Wikipedia

Cuban President Raul Castro Has Reportedly Suggested He Could Retire. -- Voice of America

The Associated Press reports Mr. Castro said Friday that he is going to be 82 years old, and that he has the right to retire.

AP said he made the comment in a joint appearance with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The news agency reported Mr. Castro said that his speech Sunday, when he is to be sworn in for a new term, will be "interesting."

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Update #1: Cuban President Raul Castro mentions possible retirement -- FOX News/AP
Update #2: Cuba's Raul Castro jokes about retiring -- Global Post/AFP

My Comment: Sorry .... but hardcore Communists do not retire.