Raúl Castro asks for confidence in the new generation on the 65th anniversary of the revolution

Havana, Jan 1 (EFE).- Former Cuban president Raúl Castro (2008-2018) led this Monday the celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the revolution in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, in one of his most important public appearances in months , and called for unity within the Communist Party (PCC, the only legal one) and trust in the new generation of leaders who have succeeded the historical leaders.

The 92-year-old former president closed the annual event commemorating the triumph of the guerrillas who came to power on the island led by the late Fidel Castro (1926-2016).

In his speech, he reiterated the need to close ranks within the ruling party as the “main strategic weapon” of the revolution and the PCC.

“I know that I express the feelings of the historical generation by ratifying trust in those who today hold leadership responsibility in our party and Government,” he said, in clear reference to the current administration, led by his successor and current president of the country, Miguel Díaz. -Canel, who is also the first leader on the island who has not been part of the armed struggle since 1959.

Castro also emphasized that “there are no generational contradictions within the revolution, because there is no envy or desire for power among its children,” in a quote that he attributed to former president Fidel Castro.

Likewise, he asked the leaders to step aside due to “insufficient capacity, lack of preparation or simply because they are tired of not being up to the standards demanded by the moment.”

Before Castro, Díaz-Canel highlighted what in his opinion have been the great pillars of Cuba after 1959, such as agrarian reform, education and public health.

In that sense, he emphasized “the makers” of the revolution who “have brought it undefeated” to the new generation, who, he maintained, “deserve the greatest recognition” and that part of that will be that “the following generations are loyal to history.”

Cuba enters 2024 plunged into a serious economic crisis, after a drop in GDP in 2023 of between 1% and 2% and a fiscal deficit of close to 19%. The country suffers from shortages of basic products such as food, medicine and fuel.

The Government assures that this situation has been aggravated by the tightening of US sanctions against the island, although it also recognizes failures in macroeconomic management.