International   

Raul Castro succeeds Fidel as Cuba Communist Party chief

Raul Castro

HAVANA: President Raul Castro was named first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party on Tuesday, with his brother Fidel not included in the leadership for the first time since the party's creation 46 years ago.

Despite raising hopes during the gathering that a new generation of leaders was poised to take up important positions, Mr. Raul Castro announced that Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, an 80-year-old long-time confidante, would be his No. 2.

New leaders

Ramiro Valdes, a 78-year-old Vice-President, was named to the No. 3 spot. Several younger people were added to the 15-member leadership group, but in lesser positions.

Fidel Castro, 84, made a surprise appearance at the gathering, receiving thunderous applause from the 1,000 delegates assembled in a vast convention centre in the capital, Havana.

Many could be seen crying as he was helped to his place on stage by a young aide, then stood at attention next to his brother during the playing of Cuba's national anthem.

Mr. Raul Castro's name was read out by a party official announcing the members of the party's Central Committee at the closing ceremony of the Sixth Communist Party Congress. — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Pakistan tests short-range ballistic missile
Syria cracks down on “armed revolt”
U.K. to send military advisers to Libya
Case at heart of protests dropped
Raul Castro succeeds Fidel as Cuba Communist Party chief
Iran-Saudi Arabia rift widens over Bahrain
Singapore poll set for May 7
Syria lifts emergency law
Yemen: one killed in police firing

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu