Cuba’s new president Miguel Diaz-Canel, left, and former president Raul Castro, raise their arms after Diaz-Canel was elected as the island nation’s new president, at the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, April 19, 2018. Diaz-Canel told the nation that Castro, 86, would remain the country’s ultimate authority as head of the Communist Party. Speaking after Diaz-Canel, Castro said he expected the younger man to become first secretary of the party after Castro retires from the position in 2021. “I confirm to this assembly that Raul Castro, as first secretary of the Communist Party, will lead the decisions about the future of the country,” Diaz-Canel said. Diaz-Canel gained prominence in central Villa Clara province as the top Communist Party official, a post equivalent to governor.

Source: Washington Post April 19, 2018 03:19 UTC