| Published Fri, April 20th 2018 at 00:09, Updated April 20th 2018 at 00:12 GMT +3Cuba’s newly sworn-in President Diaz-Canel. [Photo: Courtesy]Cuba's new president Miguel Diaz-Canel on Thursday became the country's first leader in nearly 60 years who is not named Castro, pledging continuity for the Caribbean island during the historic transition of power. The silver-haired Diaz-Canel -- a top Communist Party figure who has served as first vice president since 2013 -- assumed power from Raul Castro, who himself took over from his elder brother Fidel, father of the 1959 revolution. ALSO READ: Cuban president Castro to step asideIn his first speech as president, Diaz-Canel vowed to keep the country on the path of that "revolution," but also on the road to economic reform, a process begun by Castro which saw him opening the door to small private entrepreneurs. But the United States, with whom Raul Castro launched a rapprochement and renewed diplomatic ties in 2015, was less welcoming.

Source: Standard Digital April 19, 2018 21:11 UTC