Raul Castro Stirs up Cuba

Hello, I’m Charlotte Bellis and you’re watching Newsy.com.

“We’ve got some breaking news out of Cuba at this hour. Raul Castro has shuffled the government, dumping his foreign minister and his economic czar, both men were widely expected to lead his succession to power in Cuba after being handpicked by Fidel Castro decades ago.” (MSNBC)

That was coverage from MSNBC on what some are calling the biggest shake up of the Cuban government in decades.

The New York Times reports the move is a sign Raul feels his first year in office didn’t live up to expectations.

“Raúl promised more than he delivered in his first year, and you can view these cabinet changes as an explicit acknowledgment of that by Raúl himself.”  (The New York Times)

Al Jazeera English says the shift was a strategic move by the Cuban government.

“At least 20 officials were shifted, demoted or promoted in Cuba's government on Monday, in a move the government said was intended to make Cuba's government more compact and functional and to work towards "perfecting" the Cuban system.” (Al Jazeera English)

However, France 24 suggests that the shake-up was a way for Raul to step out from his brother’s shadow.

“Both long-time lieutenants in the previous administration had been seen as possible successors to Fidel Castro before the aging and ailing leader officially passed the reins of power to his brother in February 2008.” (France 24)

In his personal blog, Fidel Castro says that isn’t true.

He said he was consulted on the change and the two ministers were losing sight of Cuban interests.

 “The nectar of power, ... stirred ambitions that drove them to an undignified role. The foreign enemy pinned many hopes on them.” (Translation by France 24)

Do you think this was an attempt by Raul to bring a more positive outlook on his government? Or was he simply trying to set himself apart from his brother?