Cuba's National Assembly on Sunday confirmed Raul Castro as the communist nation's new president, succeeding his brother, Fidel Castro, who announced last week that he was quitting after running the nation's affairs since he took power in 1959.The selection of the younger Castro, who is 76, is no surprise but marks a symbolic new beginning that the West, particularly the United States, is watching closely.
Raul Castro was put in charge in July 2006 when his brother fell ill with a debilitating intestinal ailment that necessitated major surgery.
Castro handed over power temporarily and as he recovered he began sending signals that it was time to leave and create opportunities for others.
He finally quit last week, saying he would neither seek the office of president nor accept it if offered.
The transition - for now at least - is no more than a changing of the guard. The two Castros worked closely together over the decades and no one seriously expects any immediate fundamental change.
In the 19 months that he had been at the helm of the Cuban administration Raul Castro has sent some signals that he might be willing to make minor policy adjustments.
Many Cubans are hoping that under his leadership Cuba will experience modest economic reforms that would have a positive impact on their daily lives.
In his first official declaration, Castro said Cuba is studying a way to revalue its national currency. He said that would be in keeping with his brother's ideas for "a progressive, gradual and prudent" revaluation of the Cuban peso.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rica called Sunday's development a "significant moment in Cuba's history". She said Cubans have a right to "choose their leaders in democratic elections" and urged to government to begin a process of peaceful, democratic change by releasing all political prisoners, respecting human rights, and "creating a clear pathway towards free and fair elections."
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