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Raul Castro Reelected as Cuba's President

Cuba's President Raul Castro holds up the ballot of his brother Fidel, also present in the session, for president of the National Assembly during the opening session of the parliament in Havana, Cuba, Feb. 24, 2012. Cuba's President Raul Castro holds up the ballot of his brother Fidel, also present in the session, for president of the National Assembly during the opening session of the parliament in Havana, Cuba, Feb. 24, 2012.
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Cuba's President Raul Castro holds up the ballot of his brother Fidel, also present in the session, for president of the National Assembly during the opening session of the parliament in Havana, Cuba, Feb. 24, 2012.
Cuba's President Raul Castro holds up the ballot of his brother Fidel, also present in the session, for president of the National Assembly during the opening session of the parliament in Havana, Cuba, Feb. 24, 2012.

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VOA News

February 24, 2013

Raul Castro has been reelected as Cuba's president in what is expected to be his last official five-year term.

According to state media, the National Assembly of People's Power approved Castro as president Sunday along with 52-year-old Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez as his first vice president.

Earlier in the day, retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro made a rare public appearance at the opening session of the National Assembly in Havana. Assembly members gave Castro a standing ovation.

President Castro, who replaced his ailing brother Fidel in 2008, has called for two five-year terms for Communist Party and government leaders. The 81-year-old president raised speculation Friday about a possible retirement, suggesting that he had plans to resign at some point.

During his first term, Castro presided over limited reforms that included the gradual easing of restrictions on travel and personal property.

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