From BBC

Miguel Díaz-Canel has been sworn in as Cuba’s new president, replacing Raúl Castro who took over from his ailing brother Fidel in 2006.

It is the first time since the revolution in 1959 that a Castro is not at the helm of the government.

Mr Díaz-Canel had been serving as first vice-president for the past five years.
Even though Mr Díaz-Canel was born after the revolution, he is a staunch ally of Raúl Castro and is not expected to make any radical changes.

There was “no room in Cuba for those who strive for the restoration of capitalism” he said in his inaugural address.

‘The Revolution continues its course’

He was elected by the members of the National Assembly, all 605 of whom were voted in in March after standing unopposed.

Mr Castro is expected to continue wielding considerable political influence in his role as the leader of Cuba’s ruling Communist Party.

‘Political continuity’: Will Grant, BBC Cuba correspondent
Cuba’s new President, Miguel Díaz-Canel, entered the chamber alongside the outgoing president, Raúl Castro.
The moment captured the image of political continuity the Cuban government has been keen to stress: an ordered handover of power from one generation to the next.
There was a small surprise, a single dissenting vote to Díaz-Canel’s nomination as president, as he was confirmed by just 99.83% of the vote.
Still, he had the one and only ballot he really needed: Raúl Castro’s.

In his inaugural speech, Mr Díaz-Canel said that his mandate was “to ensure the continuity of the Cuban revolution at a key historic moment” and assured the members of the National Assembly that “the revolution continues its course”.

He said that Cuba’s foreign policy would remain “unaltered” and that any “necessary changes” would be decided by the Cuban people.

A large part of his speech was dedicated to praising his predecessor in office, to whom he said: “Cuba needs you.” This prompted the more than 600 National Assembly members to rise to their feet and give the 86-year-old former leader a standing ovation.

Any changes Mr Díaz-Canel will bring in are likely to be gradual, slow-paced and in keeping with the reforms Raúl Castro introduced since he first took over power from his brother, Fidel.

Key reforms under Raúl Castro:
2008: New agricultural strategy is launched, promising to grant a million hectares of land to private farmers
2010: Loosening of rules governing business activities, allowing Cubans to set up their own small private businesses
2011: Opening up of the housing market, allowing Cubans to buy and sell their homes
2013: First wi-fi zones created as part of a push to make the internet more accessible for Cubans
2014: US-Cuban thaw announced leading to the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the former foes
Source: BBC Monitoring

The new leader will have to consider how to overcome the problems caused by the economic collapse of Cuba’s ally, Venezuela, and what kind of relationship the Caribbean island wants with the US under Donald Trump.

Last year, the new American president reimposed certain travel and trade restrictions eased by the Obama administration but did not reverse key diplomatic and commercial ties.

But what most Cubans will judge the new leader on is whether their day-to-day lives improve.

IMAGES:

In this file handout picture released by Cuban official website www.cubadebate.cu on July 8, 2016, Cuban President Raul Castro (L) talks with First Vice-Presidente Miguel Diaz-Canel during the First Annual Session of the Cuban Parliament at the Convention Palace in Havana Image copyright AFP

Woman watch on TV in Havana Cuba”s new President Miguel Diaz-Canel takes over from Raul Castro after he was formally named his successor by the National Assembly on April 19, 2018.Image copyrightAFP
Image caption
Cubans will judge the new leader on whether their lives improve

Miguel Díaz-Canel had been widely expected to take over from Raúl Castro AFP

For more on this story go to: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-43823287