Cuba's Power Shift: Diaz-Canel's Succession

0:00Cuba's president, Miguel Diaz Canal, faces growing doubts about finishing his term, which has two years left. He's the first leader since the 1959 revolution without the Castro name, but experts see two Castro relatives as possible replacements. Oscar Perez, Oliva Fraga, a 55-year-old great nephew of Raúl Castro, has risen fast. He took over as Deputy Prime Minister last October after leading foreign trade. Meanwhile, Raúl Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, Raúl's grandson, and known as Raúlito, comes from a security background. He served as his grandfather's bodyguard and now heads Cuba's Secret Service equivalent. Last month, he met secretly with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a summit, sparking interest in his role as a family link to power. Cubans and experts react with skepticism amid deep economic and energy crises. Many criticized Diaz Canal for crackdowns after 2021 protests and worsening shortages.

1:01Ordinary people note Raúlito's lavish social media posts while folks struggle for food highlighting the leadership gap. New details show Perez Oliva as a polished technocrat with business experience, even admitting internal problems during blackouts instead of just. Blaming the U.S. still, analysts say Raúl Odo's family ties make him unlikely for a public top role as a signal's no real change. Even with these shifts, Raúl Castro at 94 holds true control through the military, and experts doubt major reforms ahead. Speculation grows on power struggles, but the regime's grip looks firm for now. From your city, powered by AI, this is Canada News Today.