Cuba’s cautious transition to a new generation

In just under a year’s time, if President Castro keeps to his previously announced timetable, he will step down and cease to lead Cuba’s Council of State and Council of Ministers. Others in his generation are also expected to demit office.

Unless a constitutional change occurs, he will also cease to be the Commander in Chief of the Cuban armed forces. However, it is not clear, whether he and other historic figures still active in the leadership will continue to lead or play a central role in the Cuban Communist Party.

To achieve all of this, several far-reaching announcements will have to be made in the coming months about the country’s future leadership, constitution, and possibly, based on previous thinking, electoral reform. Despite this there have