Their Man In Havana–Miguel Diaz-Canel

                   by David Parmer / Tokyo

“I assume this responsibility with the conviction that all we revolutionaries, from any trench, will be faithful to Fidel and Raul, the current leader of the revolutionary process,” (Miguel Diaz-Canel, Inaugural Address)

On April 19, 2018 Cuba inaugurated its first non-Castro leader since 1959. Miguel Diaz-Canel, a Communist Party of Cuba stalwart was elected as President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers by an overwhelming majority. Raul Castro (86) will step back from the spotlight, but will not disappear just yet. Castro is still head of the Cuban military and Communist Party of Cuba.

Diaz-Canel (57) is a lifelong Communist. Trained as an electrical engineer, he served in the Cuban military then entered politics. In 2003 he was party leader in Villa Clara Province and subsequently party leader in Holguin province. In 2009 he was appointed Minister of Higher Education, and in 2013 he became First Vice President of Cuba.

In his inaugural address Diaz-Canel acknowledged the continuing leadership and guidance of Raul Castro and promised the continuity of the Cuban Revolution. He ruled out a return of capitalism to Cuba.

Some observers suggested a no-change policy in Cuba would be the norm during Diaz-Canel’s presidency. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence tweeted about the US standing with the Cuban people and about free and fair elections etc. etc.

What cannot be denied is that Cuba is having a smooth transition of power from its first generation of revolutionaries to the next generation of Cubans born after the revolution. There is much to be said for such a bloodless and orderly transition of power despite its lack of glamor and entertainment value.

What is next for Cuba? If the past is anything to rely on, Mr. Diaz-Canel will find his footing, consolidate his power base, and make his mark on Cuban history and politics. Media reports suggest that the economy is the big concern of the Cuban people. The question is what reforms will we see under the new president?

Now it is true that he is watched over by a Castro, but a Castro who has shown himself to be cautiously reform-minded. Will President Diaz-Canel, in the coming years, be able to create something like “Socialism With Cuban Characteristics”? It seems there is a good chance that this just might happen.

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President Diaz-Canel speech (Spanish)

Photo:  President Diaz-Canel, Sierra Maestra Newspaper