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Cuban president Raul Castro hints at retirement Cuban president Raul Castro hints at retirement
(35 minutes later)
The Cuban president, Raul Castro, has unexpectedly suggested he might stand down, saying he was old and had a right to retire. But he did not say when he might do so or if such a move was imminent. The Cuban president has unexpectedly suggested he might stand down. Raul Castro said he was old and had a right to retire, gave no clue as to how soon he might do so.
The Cuban leader is scheduled to be sworn in to a new five-year term on Sunday. Castro said to listen to his speech that day, which he promised would be "interesting". The Cuban leader is scheduled to be sworn in to a new five-year term on Sunday. Castro saidadvised listening to his speech that day, which he promised would be "interesting".
"I am going to be 82 years old," Castro said at a joint appearance with visiting Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev. "I have the right to retire, don't you think?" "I am going to be 82 years old," Castro said at a joint appearance in Havana with visiting Russian prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev. "I have the right to retire, don't you think?"
Castro's tone was light and his comments came in informal remarks to reporters at a mausoleum dedicated to soldiers from the former Soviet Union who have died around the world.Castro's tone was light and his comments came in informal remarks to reporters at a mausoleum dedicated to soldiers from the former Soviet Union who have died around the world.
The Cuban leader has spoken before of his desire to implement a two-term limit for all Cuban government positions, including the presidency. That has led many to speculate that this upcoming term would be his last. He will be 86 when the term ends in 2018.The Cuban leader has spoken before of his desire to implement a two-term limit for all Cuban government positions, including the presidency. That has led many to speculate that this upcoming term would be his last. He will be 86 when the term ends in 2018.
When Castro does leave the political stage, it will end more than a half century of unbroken rule by him and his brother Fidel, who came to power in 1959 at the head of a revolution against US-backed strongman Fulgencio Batista. When Castro does leave the political stage, it will end more than half a century of unbroken rule by him and his brother Fidel, who came to power in 1959 at the head of a revolution against US-backed strongman Fulgencio Batista.
Relations with the United States have been sour since shortly after the two came to power. One of the key provisions of the 51-year US economic embargo on Cuba stipulates that it cannot be lifted so long as either of the Castros is in power. Relations with the United States have been sour since shortly after the two came to power. A key provision of the 51-year US economic embargo on Cuba stipulates that it cannot be lifted so long as either of the Castros is in charge.
Raul Castro has implemented a series of economic and social reforms since taking over from his ailing brother in 2006, but the island is still ruled by one party. Fidel Castro is 86 and retired.Raul Castro has implemented a series of economic and social reforms since taking over from his ailing brother in 2006, but the island is still ruled by one party. Fidel Castro is 86 and retired.