Cuban military dictator Raúl Castro’s transfer of one of his many titles — actually, the least important one — to Miguel Díaz-Canel has been described by many foreign leaders and international media as a “transfer of power,” a “transition” and the start of “a new era” on the island. That’s laughable!
Castro, 86, will retain his two most important jobs: head of the Communist Party — which, according to the Cuban regime’s constitution, is “the superior guiding force of society and the state” — and supreme commander of the armed forces.
Díaz-Canel, who turns 58 on Friday, was appointed president, the third most powerful position in Cuba. It’s largely a ceremonial job: He will have close to zero chance to change anything until Castro dies or retires from his almighty job as head of the Communist Party three years from now.
