Category — Ricardo Alarcon

Foreign Policy magazine has published a list of The World’s 10 Oldest Leaders which includes Cuba’s own Raul Castro:

Raúl Castro

Date of birth: June 3, 1931

Years in power: 2 (president since February 2008, but had been de facto president since July 2006 when his brother, Fidel Castro, transferred power to him due to failing health)

Rank on Failed States Index: No. 77, “borderline”

Progeny: 3 daughters and 1 son; 8 grandchildren, according to a June 2007 New York Times obituary about Raúl’s wife

Health status: Raúl is addicted to alcohol and has been a heavy drinker since his teenage years, according to research by Brian Latell, an expert on Cuba at the University of Miami.

Next in line: Some names floated after Fidel stepped down from power include Carlos Lage, Ricardo Alarcón, Felipe Pérez Roque, Ramiro Valdés, and Esteban Lazo, all of whom have held high-level government positions.

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Army General Raul Castro wearing a white guayabera gave a televised address before the National Assembly (Cuban Parliament) yesterday addressing critical issues befacing the country.

The BBC calls Castro’s address his most sombre assessment of Cuba’s economic situation since he succeeded his brother Fidel in February.  He said would have to lift restrictions on salaries more slowly than anticipated and key reforms could be affected by global rises in food and oil prices.

Castro said “the salary problem” was being studied and would be addressed “gradually and according to priorities” but that quick action may not be possible.

Castro’s speech was preceded this week by National Assembly meetings in which government officials warned that belt-tightening would be needed due to rising prices for fuel and imports.  They also said the government would decentralize a sagging construction sector to make it more efficient and consider raising the retirement age to help Cuba cope with an aging population.

[Photo: AFP]

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Cuban media reports Army General Raul Castro presided over a joint meeting of the Politburo and Council of State.  The economic and social situation of the country were analyzed.  Food production and rise in the main branches of productive activity and services were among other topics of discussion.

Also debated were some issues to be discussed at today’s session of the National Assembly (Cuban Parliament).

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Reuters/Brazil Online (via O Globo Online) reports Raúl Castro will visit Brazil at the end of the year according to a Brazilian government source.

The invitation was extended during President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit to Havana in Janaury.

The time frame of Raúl Castro’s visit was hinted in meeting between Lula and Ricardo Alarcón, president of the Cuba National Assembly, last Wednesday, in Planalto Palace. It is likely that the date will be December.

[Photo: EFE]

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