Final end of Castro era in Cuba: party leader Raúl confirms resignation | NOW

Raúl Castro resigns as leader of the Communist Party of Cuba. The 89-year-old Castro confirmed his widely anticipated resignation Friday on the first day of an important party congress in Havana. It is not yet known who will succeed him as party leader.

Castro’s resignation marks a formal end to the Castro era, which began with the Cuban revolution in the 1950s. Castro succeeded his brother Fidel in 2008, who was struggling with his health. ‘El Lider’ died in November 2016 at the age of ninety.

According to Castro, it is time to pass on power to a younger generation. On state television clips of his speech, the former president says he can satisfactorily hand over his leadership to a group of party loyalists with decades of experience. He also told the hundreds in attendance that he was ready until his death “to defend the fatherland, the revolution and socialism”.

Although no successor to Castro has yet been appointed, 60-year-old Miguel Díaz-Canel is likely to take on that role. He also took over from Castro as president of Cuba in 2018.

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