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Raul Castro is applauded after announcing his decision, watched on by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (R)

Raul Castro stands down as Cuban Communist Party leader

Cuban Communist Party leader Raul Castro has said he is resigning from the role, ending his family's six decades in power.

World • 17 Apr 21

Miguel Diaz-Canel is Cuba's Vice President and a senior Communist Party official

Cuba confirms candidate to replace President Castro

Cuban officials have confirmed that Miguel Diaz-Canel is the sole candidate to succeed President Raul Castro.

Cuba • 19 Apr 18

Raul Castro has been in power since 2006, when he took over from his brother Fidel, who seized power in 1959

Cubans prepare for Castro's stepping down

Cuban President Raul Castro is set to step down on Thursday, passing the baton to a new generation in a transition that brings to a close the Castro brothers' six-decade grip on power.

World • 17 Apr 18

The Vatican said the meeting was strictly private and not a state visit

Pope Francis meets Cuba's Raul Castro

Pope Francis has met Cuba's Raul Castro who thanked the pontiff for brokering the thaw between Havana and Washington.

News • 11 May 15

Cuban President Raul Castro met US President Barack Obama in Panama at the weekend

Obama plans to remove Cuba from terrorism list

US President Barack Obama has told Congress that he plans to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

News • 15 Apr 15

Bruno Rodriguez and John Kerry were said to have made progress after 'very constructive discussions'

Obama and Castro to share stage at Summit

US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro will share the same stage today in an encounter rich with symbolism as their countries set aside decades of mistrust and attempt to restore diplomatic relations.

News • 10 Apr 15

Raul Castro reiterated his willingness for respectful and reciprocal dialogue regarding disagreements with the US

Castro hails 'obstacle' removal in US-Cuba affairs

Cuban President Raul Castro has hailed the removal of an "obstacle" in US-Cuba relations, saying he is ready to discuss any topic with the United States after the historic bilateral rapprochement.

News • 20 Dec 14

The family of Mr Gross has appealed for his release since 2009

Obama announces major Cuban policy shift

US President Barack Obama has said a "new chapter" has been opened in ties with Cuba.

News • 17 Dec 14

Raul Castro said he hopes to establish two-term limits and age caps for political offices including the presidency

Cuba's Raul Castro to retire as leader in 2018

Cuban President Raul Castro has said he will stand down at the end of his second term in 2018, ending the Castro political era.

News • 25 Feb 13

Fidel Castro and Pope Benedict talked for about 30 minutes

Pope meets Fidel Castro after Havana mass

Pope Benedict has urged Cubans to search for "authentic freedom" and wound up his trip with a meeting with the communist country's revolutionary icon Fidel Castro.

News • 28 Mar 12

Pope Bendict XVI arrives at Revolution Square in Santiago

Pope celebrates open-air mass in Cuba

Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated an open-air mass for tens of thousands of people in the city of Santiago on the first day of his visit to Cuba.

News • 27 Mar 12

The Pope's visit comes 14 years after Pope John Paul II's landmark trip to Cuba

Pope Benedict begins Cuba visit

Pope Benedict arrives in Cuba today on a three-day visit that has fuelled aspirations for deeper economic and political change on the communist-run island.