Cuba has proposed Miguel Díaz-Canel as the sole candidate to replace Raúl Castro as president, making him the first non-Castro to lead the socialist country since the 1959 revolution, in a symbolic and generational sea change for the island.
Although the national assembly must still vote formally on Mr Díaz-Canel’s candidacy, such votes are often unanimously approved, in which case his official confirmation will be announced today — another symbolic moment as it marks the 57th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Mr Díaz-Canel, who turns 58 tomorrow, represents a new generation taking charge from the so-called “historic generation” that led the struggle against dictator Fulgencio Batista. Yet few expect big changes from the party stalwart and provincial party leader. Underlining that, the national assembly has asked Cubans to comment on the news and relay it via the hashtag #somoscontinuidad (we are continuity).