Number: RS22742
Title: Cuba's Political Succession: From Fidel to Raśl Castro
Authors: Mark P. Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: Cuba's political succession from Fidel Castro to his brother Raśl has been characterized by a remarkable degree of stability. On February 24, 2008, Cuba's legislature selected Raśl as President of the 31-member Council of State, a position that officially made him Cuba's head of government and state. Most observers expected this since Raśl already had been heading the Cuban government on a provisional basis since July 2006 when Fidel stepped down as President because of poor health. On February 19, 2008, Fidel had announced that he would not accept the position of President of the Council of State. Cuba's stable political succession from one communist leader to another raises questions about the future direction of U.S. policy, which currently can be described as a sanctions-based policy that ties the easing of sanctions to democratic change in Cuba.
Pages: 6
Date: February 29, 2008