Cuba
April 19, 2011 - 8:02am
A day after Cuban media revealed that a Communist Party summit had approved sweeping economic changes and elected a new leadership -- without saying what the changes were or who is now in charge -- Cubans hoped to get details in a closing speech by President Raul Castro on Tuesday.
With Raul widely expected to take over from his brother Fidel as the party's first secretary, all eyes will be on the selection of his new No. 2, which could signal a possible favored successor.
Delegates approved about 300 economic proposals in an unanimous vote Monday - including a measure that apparently recommends the legalization the buying and selling of private property.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/04/19/cuba-communist-congress-ra...
Yeah, I've been listening to Radio Habana Cuba on 6000khz shortwave the last few evenings. Special coverage of the Cuban Communist Party Congress.
Raul Castro was named first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party on Tuesday, with his aging brother Fidel not included in the leadership for the first time since the party's creation 46 years ago.
Despite raising hopes during the gathering that a new generation of leaders was poised to take up important positions, the island's president announced that Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, an 80-year-old longtime confidante, would be his No. 2.
Ramiro Valdes, a 78-year-old vice president, was named to the No. 3 spot. Several younger politicians were added to the 15-member core leadership group, but in lesser positions.
Fidel Castro made a surprise appearance at the gathering, receiving thunderous applause from the 1,000 delegates assembled in a vast convention centre in the capital, Havana.
Many could be seen crying as the man who led the 1959 revolution to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista was helped to his place on stage by a young aide, then stood at attention next to his brother during the playing of Cuba's national anthem.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/04/19/cuba-communist-congress-ra...