Today in history: On July 31, 2006 – Fidel Castro hands over power to his brother, Raúl.

 

In 2006, Fidel Castro, the long-serving leader of Cuba, temporarily handed over power to his younger brother, Raúl Castro, due to a serious health crisis. On July 31, Fidel announced that he was undergoing intestinal surgery and would be stepping aside from his presidential duties for the first time since the 1959 Cuban Revolution. This unexpected announcement sent shockwaves around the world, as Fidel had ruled Cuba with an iron grip for nearly five decades, surviving numerous assassination attempts, economic sanctions, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. The transfer of power was initially described as temporary, but it marked the beginning of a major transition in Cuban leadership.

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Raúl Castro, who had served as the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces since the 1960s, was a trusted figure in the government and had long been considered Fidel’s natural successor. After assuming power, Raúl maintained stability in the country while gradually introducing modest economic reforms, such as allowing limited private enterprise and relaxing restrictions on foreign investment. Though the political system remained authoritarian, Raúl’s leadership style was seen as more pragmatic and less ideologically rigid than his brother’s. In 2008, Raúl was formally elected President of Cuba, confirming what had already become a reality since 2006, Fidel Castro’s era was over, and a new chapter under Raúl had begun.

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