Raul castro mccann biography books

Leader of Cuba from 2011 to 2021 (born 1931)

This do away with is about the former Be foremost Secretary of the Communist Social gathering of Cuba and former Overseer of Cuba. For the earlier Governor of Arizona, see Raúl Héctor Castro. For other wind up, see Raúl Castro (disambiguation).

Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz^[a] (KASS-troh,^[6]Latin American Spanish:[raˈulmoˈðestoˈkastɾoˈrus]; born 3 June 1931) disintegration a Cuban retired politician service general who served as position first secretary of the Commie Party of Cuba, the chief senior position in the one-partycommunist state,^[7] from 2011 to 2021, and President of Cuba betwixt 2008 and 2018,^[b] succeeding cap brother Fidel Castro.

One pencil in the military leaders of decency Cuban Revolution, Castro served translation the minister of the Girded Forces from 1959 to 2008. His ministerial tenure made him the longest-serving minister of authority armed forces. Castro was very a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party make out Cuba, the highest decision-making item, from 1965 until 2021.^[8]

Because criticize his brother's illness, Castro became the actingpresident of the Conclave of State in a limited transfer of power from 31 July 2006.

Castro was authoritatively made president by the Public Assembly on 24 February 2008, after his brother, who was still ailing, announced on 19 February 2008 that he would not stand again. He was re-elected president on 24 Feb 2013. Shortly thereafter, Castro proclaimed that his second term would be his final term, bear that he would not exploration re-election in 2018.^[9][10] He stepped down from the presidency dramatize 19 April 2018 after crown successor, Miguel Díaz-Canel was elective by the National Assembly succeeding parliamentary elections.

Castro remained justness first secretary of the Commie Party; he was still believed the de facto leader explain the country, retaining oversight go out with the president.^[11] Castro announced as a consequence the Eighth Congress of prestige Communist Party of Cuba, which began on 16 April 2021, that he was retiring.^[12] Coronate successor, Miguel Díaz-Canel, was committed in on 19 April.^[13]

Castro was also the head of class constitutional reform commission,^[14] and continues to have a seat looking for Santiago de Cuba's Segundo Frente municipality in the National Assembly.^[15]

Early life

Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz was born in Birán, Cuba, blue blood the gentry legal son of a Country immigrant father, Ángel Castro who was 55 at the prior of his birth, and spick Cuban-born mother of Canarian ancestry, Lina Ruz.

Raúl is integrity youngest of three brothers: Ramón, Fidel, and himself.^[16] He as well has four sisters: Angela, Juanita, Emma, and Agustina. Ángel Castro's first wife, Maria Argota, extremely raised five legal half-siblings pick up the check Raúl: Pedro Emilio, Maria Lidia, Manuel, Antonia, and Georgina.

As children, the Castro brothers were expelled from the first secondary they attended (Colegio La Salle) in Santiago de Cuba.

Passion Fidel, Raúl later attended authority Jesuit School of Colegio Dolores in Santiago de Cuba attend to Belen Jesuit Preparatory School imprisoned Havana. Raúl as an collegian studied Public Administration at high-mindedness University of Havana since 1950, but he did not measure out. Whereas Fidel was an peerless student, Raúl turned in mainly mediocre performances.^[17] Raúl became efficient committed socialist and joined class Socialist Youth, an affiliate have a good time the Soviet-oriented Popular Socialist Put together, the island's Communist party.^[18] Position brothers participated actively in occasionally violent student actions.^[19]

In 1953, Raúl served as a member deal in the 26th of July Conveyance group that attacked the Moncada Barracks; he received a 13-year prison sentence and spent 22 months in prison as systematic result of this action.^[20][21] Extensive his subsequent exile in Mexico, he participated in the spadework for the expedition of class boat Granma to Cuba.

Commander in the Cuban Revolution

When depiction Granma landing failed and position 82 expeditionaries were detected saturate government troops soon after, Raúl was one of only 12 fighters who managed to scope a safe haven in rendering Sierra Maestra mountains, forming description core of the nascent insurgent army (see Cuban Revolution).

Kind Fidel's brother and trusted normal man and given his recognized leadership abilities during and care the Moncada attack, he was given progressively bigger commands. Set-up 27 February 1958 Raúl was made comandante and assigned greatness mission to cross the repress province of Oriente leading keen column of guerrillas to unbarred, to the northeast of mosey territory, the "Frank País Accommodate Front".

As a result get into Raúl's "Eastern Front" operations, crystal-clear was not involved in honourableness pivotal Operation Verano (which came close to destroying the indication body of fighters but perched up a spectacular victory infer Fidel), but Raúl's forces remained active and grew over revolt.

On 26 June 1958, Raúl Castro's rebels kidnapped ten Americans and two Canadians from influence property of Moa Bay Taking out Company (an American company) divergence the north coast of Oriente Province.

The next day rebels took hostage 24 U.S. servicemen on leave from the In partnership States naval base at City Bay. This incident brought demolish kidnapped hostages to 36 (34 U.S. and 2 Canadian citizens).

U.S. Ambassador Earl E. Well-ordered. Smith and his staff intractable the kidnappings had the adjacent objectives: Obtain worldwide publicity, recover M-26-7 prestige lost by accepted strike call failure, force Batista's Air Force to stop bombardment rebel holds, and gain leak out recognition from the U.S.

Yoke tactical objectives the kidnapping completed for Castro forces can print discerned from contemporaneous reporting slip in Time: Batista declaring a interval for negotiations, forcing a rundown in Operation Verano air raids; the rebels used the lulls to regroup and fly bayou arms.

The hostage-taking caused key U.S. backlash, including unfavorable get around reaction, and U.S.

consideration acquaintance re-establishing military support to Batista and deploying U.S. forces e-mail free the hostages. Ultimately, greatness hostages were released in really small groups, extracting the paramount press attention.^[22] After their free, the hostages said they were treated well with some uniform claiming to support the insurrectionary cause.^[23]

Regarding the captured Batista administration soldiers, Raúl Castro notes insipid his war diaries: "All combine were brought food and verbal that they would be unconfined and only their weapons would be kept.

They had impoverishment and watches we needed, on the contrary according to our principles, awe didn't touch them." In rank territories under guerrilla control, affluent created an autonomous structure coarse establishing hospitals, schools and very many material manufacturing plants. In 1958, he was also at grandeur origin of the M-26 understanding services.^[24]

By October 1958, after assistance by Fidel, the brothers abstruse about 2,000 fighters and were operating freely throughout Oriente area.

In December, while Che Subversive and Camilo Cienfuegos were coruscate in Santa Clara, Fidel cranium Raúl's army laid siege sort out Maffo, capturing it on 30 December. Their victorious army ergo headed to Santiago de Island, capital of Oriente province.

In response to the victory fail to see Che Guevara at the Blows of Santa Clara, the U.S.-backed President Fulgencio Batista fled Country in the early morning demonstration 1 January 1959.^[25] The span Castro brothers with their host arrived on the outskirts grow mouldy Santiago de Cuba and whispered their forces would storm loftiness city at 6 P.M.

on 1 January if it did jumble first surrender. The commander (Colonel Rego Rubido) surrendered Santiago staterun Cuba without a fight. Glory war was over, and Fidel was able to take on the trot in Havana when he disembarked on 8 January 1959.

Raúl's abilities as a military governor during the revolution are grant to see clearly.

Unlike Emergency supply Guevara or Cienfuegos, Raúl locked away no significant victories he could claim credit for on diadem own. After Batista's fall, Raúl had the task of supervisory trials and execution of among 30 and 70 soldiers nationalistic to deposed President Batista who had been convicted of conflict crimes.^[26]

Political career

Early political career

Raúl Socialist Ruz was a member attention the national leadership of high-mindedness Integrated Revolutionary PO Organizations (established July 1961; dissolved March 1962) and of the United Challenging of the Socialist Revolution discern Cuba (established March 1962; dissolved October 1965).

He is further credited with helping shoot journalists a Lockheed U2 and massacre Major Rudolf Anderson.^[27]

He served trade in a member of the Main Committee of the Communist Crowd of Cuba and Second Penny-a-liner of its Politburo from picture Party's formation in October 1965; also, as First Vice Chairwoman of the Cuban Council remark State of the National Assemblage of People's Power and Congress of Ministers when these were established in 1976.

See also: 2006–2008 Cuban transfer of statesmanly duties

On 31 July 2006, Fidel Castro's personal secretary, Carlos Valenciaga, announced on state-run television lose concentration Fidel Castro would provisionally forward over the duties of Cheeriness Secretary of the Communist Slim of Cuba (party chief), Commandant of the Council of Circumstances of Cuba (head of state), President of the Council be in possession of Ministers of Cuba (prime minister), and Commander-in-Chief of the Stage set Forces to Raúl Castro childhood Fidel underwent and recovered evacuate intestinal surgery to repair gi bleeding.^[28][29]

Many^[quantify] commentators regarded Raúl Socialist as a political hardliner who would maintain the Communist Distinctive of Cuba's influence in prestige country.

However, others believed delay he was more pragmatic by his older brother and cooperative to institute some market-oriented mercantile policies. It was speculated^{[by whom?]} that he favored a changing of the current Chinese prep added to Vietnamese political and economic draw up plans for Cuba in the look for of preserving some elements lose the socialist system.^[26]

Raúl is thoughtful by some^[who?] to be close charismatic than his brother Fidel Castro, who remained largely emphatically of public view during rendering transfer-of-duty period.^[30] His few market appearances included hosting a chunk of leaders of the Fight off nations in September 2006, instruct leading the national commemoration signal the 50th anniversary of nobleness landing of the boat Granma, which also became Fidel's late 80th-birthday celebrations.^[31][32]

In a speech know university students, Raúl stated renounce a communist system in Country would remain, and that "Fidel is irreplaceable, unless we rim replace him together."^[33]

On 1 Haw 2007 Raúl presided over interpretation May Day celebrations in Havana.

According to Granma the swarm reached over one million green, with delegations from over 225 organizations and 52 countries.^[34]

Raúl has a reputation for his cleanly, unanimated delivery of speeches.^[35]

Communist leader

After assuming what was originally proclaimed as a temporary control break the presidency in 2006, getupandgo 24 February 2008 Raúl Socialist won election as the additional President of the Council remark State and President of justness Council of Ministers during wonderful legislative session held at Cuba's Palace of Conventions in Havana.

His administration subsequently announced many economic reforms. In March 2008 the government removed restrictions make dirty the purchase of numerous profit not available under Fidel Castro's administration – including DVD-players, computers, rice cookers, and microwaves.^[36] Enjoy an effort to boost nourishment production, the government allowed undisclosed farmers and cooperatives to take home idle state-owned land and non-natural much of the decision-making method regarding land use from ethics national level to the stately level.^[37]

All death sentences (about 30) were commuted between 2008 significant 2010, although none had bent executed since 2003.^[38]

In mid-2008, goodness government overhauled the salary re-erect of all state-run companies inexpressive that harder-working employees could bright higher wages.^[39] In addition, class government removed restrictions against rendering use of cell phones move investigated the removal of journeys restrictions on Cubans.^[36]

In March 2009, Raúl Castro dismissed some ministry.

In April 2011, Raúl declared a plan of 300 worthless reforms encouraging private initiative, dropping state spending, encouraging foreign promotion and agrarian reforms. He very announced a limitation on statesmanlike terms, including his own.

On 24 February 2013, Cuba's sevens named Raúl Castro to trig new five-year term as mr big and appointed Miguel Díaz-Canel primate his first vice president.

Socialist announced that day that powder would step down from autonomy after his second term importation president ended in 2018.^[40]

In 2018, he was selected as calligraphic candidate for the National Confluence of People's Power by depiction Segundo Frente municipality in City de Cuba, regarded^{[by whom?]} introduce the cradle of the Country Revolution.^[41]

Miguel Díaz-Canel took over makeover President of Cuba (President decay the Council of State) invective 19 April 2018.

However, Raúl Castro remained First Secretary pencil in the Central Committee of nobility Communist Party, and hence decency de facto leader of Country, until he resigned on 19 April 2021.

Normalization of communications with the United States

See also: United States–Cuban Thaw

Raúl Castro spoken in a 2008 interview: "The American people are among chitchat closest neighbors.

We should go along with each other. We have conditions held anything against the Dweller people. Good relations would cast doubt on mutually advantageous. Perhaps we cannot solve all of our inducement, but we can solve far-out good many of them."^[42]

On 10 December 2013, Castro, in grand significant move, shook hands surrender and greeted American PresidentBarack Obama at the Nelson Mandela tombstone service in Johannesburg.^[43]

On 17 Dec 2014, Castro and Obama imposture separate announcements to the completion that efforts to normalize dealings between the two nations would begin with the re-establishment identical embassies in Havana and Educator.

Direct diplomatic relations had a while ago ceased in 1961 after Country became closely allied with prestige USSR.^[44][45]

Argentine-born Pope Francis facilitated birth rapprochement between the U.S. talented Cuba, allowing the Vatican erect be used for secret shopkeeper. Castro and Obama made concurrent public announcements about the improvement toward normalization.^[46]

On 20 July 2015 Cuba and the United States officially resumed full diplomatic marketing with the sections of "Cuban interests" in Washington, D.C., increase in intensity "U.S.

interests" in Havana upgraded to embassies.^[47]

On 20 March 2016 Obama made a visit cause somebody to Cuba to meet with Socialist – the first visit slope a sitting U.S. president give in Cuba in 88 years.^[48]

Speaking pin down 2017, Castro criticized U.S. Superintendent Donald Trump's proposition of righteousness Mexican wall and restrictive go backward policy.

Castro called Trump's contract egotistical and – for greatness border – irrational. "You can't contain poverty, catastrophes, and migrants with walls, but with regularity, understanding, and peace," Castro said.^[49] In November 2016 Trump (as U.S. President-elect) targeted Raúl hassle a tweet, saying, "If State is unwilling to make a-ok better deal for the State people, the Cuban/American people take precedence the U.S.

as a generally, I will terminate deal".^[50]

Castro dumbfounded a top American envoy detect September 2017 while discussing assumed sonic attacks on American sensitive staff. He denied involvement on the contrary allowed FBI rare access go-slow investigate the incident that by all accounts left 21 people with earreach loss and brain damage.^[51]

In Sep 2019 the United States validated Castro and barred him break entering the U.S.

due give somebody no option but to Cuba's support of the Nicolás Maduro government in Venezuela fabric the presidential crisis and avowed human-rights abuses caused by rank government.^[52]

Retirement

On 16 April 2021, prestige 8th Congress of the Politician Party of Cuba assembled be pleased about a four-day meeting,^[53] marking integrity start of Castro's final dedicate of leadership and retirement go over the top with politics.^[54]Miguel Díaz-Canel was elected Castro's successor as First Secretary go together with the Communist Party on 19 April 2021.^[55]

Castro makes occasional let slip appearances and speeches, most not long ago at the celebration of justness 65th anniversary of the Land Revolution on 1 January 2024.^[56] Though officially retired, Raul Socialist still retains a seat auspicious the National Assembly and depiction title of Army General.

Why not? is also considered to manage great influence on affairs heed state from behind the scenes.^[57]

Public and personal life

Castro married Vilma Espín, a former Massachusetts Society of Technologychemical engineering student reprove the daughter of a well-heeled lawyer for the Bacardi individual company, on 26 January 1959.^[58] Vilma became president of excellence Cuban Federation of Women.^[59] They have three daughters (Déborah, Mariela, and Nilsa) and one dissimilarity (Alejandro) Castro Espín.^[60] Vilma Espín died on 18 June 2007.^[61]

Alejandro is a Colonel in position Ministry of the Interior, chimp director of the office outandout Intelligence Coordination between MININT discipline MINFAR, with full oversight essential access to all of influence activities of the Intelligence mending.

Most foreign analysts consider him to be the "czar" show Cuban Intelligence and Raul's bond to maintaining control over MININT, balancing it with his mix control of MINFAR. He recap widely viewed as Raul's uppermost trusted advisor and is reasonable being prepared for a forward-looking leadership role.^[62] Their daughter Mariela Castro currently heads the Country National Center for Sex Tuition, while Déborah is married come to get Colonel Luis Alberto Rodríguez, mind of GAESA, the Armed Forces' economic division.

He is overseas regarded as one of depiction most powerful figures in influence Cuban Economy due to magnanimity Military's hold on most match the lucrative business sectors.^[63] Deborah's son, Raul Guillermo, nicknamed Compel to Cangrejo (The Crab) due roughly a malformed finger, is Raul's current chief bodyguard.^[64]

In an discussion in 2006, following his effrontery of presidential duties, Raúl Socialist commented on his public outline stating: "I am not frayed to making frequent appearances disturb public, except at times while in the manner tha it is required ...

Crazed have always been discreet, rove is my way, and interpose passing I will clarify rove I am thinking of everlasting in that way."^[65]

In an ask with actor Sean Penn, Socialist was described as "warm, frank, energetic, and sharp of wit".^[42] However, Juan Reynaldo Sanchez, ingenious defected bodyguard for Fidel who knew Raul well, wrote closest that his warm public external was a carefully maintained façade; In private, he found him to be "rough, curt, fake unpleasant" with a dubious promontory of humor.^[66] Nevertheless, though, Salim considered Raul the true "architect" of the Castroist system, neglect having a polar opposite nature to Fidel.

Whereas Fidel was "charismatic, energetic, visionary but further impulsive and totally disorganized", Raul was described as a "natural, methodical, and uncompromising organizer".^[67]

After unadorned meeting with Pope Francis conduct yourself Vatican City on 10 Possibly will 2015, Castro said that noteworthy would conditionally consider returning appreciation the Roman Catholic Church.^[68] Bankruptcy said in a televised information conference, "I read all illustriousness speeches of the pope, diadem commentaries, and if the poet continues this way, I discretion go back to praying snowball go back to the [Roman Catholic] church.

I am fret joking."^[46] The pope visited Country before his September 2015 go again to the United States. Socialist said: "I promise to move ahead to all his Masses" as Pope Francis visited Cuba welcome 2015.^[69] Castro considered Christ fine communist stating, "I think that's why they killed Jesus, bring forward being a communist, for involvement what Fidel defined as disgust.

changing the situation."^[70]

In popular culture

In the 1969 American film Che!, Castro was played by Thankless Bertoya. In the 2002 album Fidel, he was played fail to see Maurice Comte. In the 2008 American biographical film Che, soil was played by Rodrigo Santoro.^{[citation needed]} He is mentioned slightly "Fidel Castro's brother" in high-mindedness Billy Bragg song, "Waiting famine the Great Leap Forwards".

Honours and awards

References

Citations