Cuban-American Senator, Bob Menéndez, assured that the resignation of Raúl Castro as first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, is a “symbolic little game of musical chairs among Cuban officials.”
Faced with this movement in Castroism, he reported Radio Television Martí, the president of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked the government of this country to remain with the Cuban people and apply the correct policy towards the island, always considering human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“The Cuban people will only be able to begin the monumental task of rebuilding their country, based on democratic values and respect for human, political and civic rights, when free and truly fair elections are held,” said the Democrat for the state of New Jersey.
He also warned that the horrifying conditions in Cuba and its repressive tendency will not change after the departure of Castro and with President Miguel Díaz-Canel “at the head” of the regime.
Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar also made a statement before Castro’s departure in the framework of the VIII Congress of the PCC that takes place behind closed doors in Havana.
“The Castro regime is saying that Raúl Castro will no longer be in power and that now a new civilian is entering and that there are changes in Cuba from a political point of view, but everything is a lie,” said the Republican representative on social networks.
Salazar added that a change will only be experienced in Cuba when there are elections, openness to the political game and anyone has the opportunity to run for president.
Before 300 PCC delegates, Raúl Castro ratified his retirement as the first secretary of this political organization, assuring that he will not occupy another position of power on the island.
“My task as first secretary of the Central Committee of the PCC concludes with the satisfaction of having fulfilled and the confidence in the future of the country, with the thoughtful conviction of not accepting proposals to remain in the higher organs of the party organization, in whose ranks I will continue to militate,” he said.
In addition to saying that he hands over leadership to a “new younger generation,” the president of Cuba between 2008 and 2018 stated that he will defend the revolution to the death.
“As long as I live I will be ready with my foot on the stirrup to defend the homeland, the revolution and socialism,” said the 89-year-old general.