Cuban Game of Thrones

Source: Babalublog.com

So the post-Castro Cuban story has begun with the retirement of Raul Castro, or so it seems. While former Vice President Miguel Diaz Canel has been elevated to the position of president at a relatively young age of 58 years old, I happen to believe that the Castro clan isn't done yet. Diaz Canel, I believe, is just warming up the seat for another Castro.

Fidel Castro was a prolific procreator - he is alleged to have fathered at least ten children from various women. Yet, none of Fidel's children emerged to follow in their hallowed father's footsteps. Fidel's children suffered from varying degrees of misfortune. Fidelito, the eldest son, commited suicide. And another child, Alina Revuelta, a daughter out of wedlock, sent on self-exile to Miami. Out of Fidel's offspring, the most prominent is Antonio Castro, a doctor who is rather known for his love of playing golf. None of Fidel's children inspire confidence.

On the other hand, Raul's progeny, Alejandro and Mariela, cousins to Fidel's underachieving bunch of throne pretenders, have smartly positioned themselves for possible ascension to power. Mariela is the more recognizable name in Cuba because of her visible support to progressive causes such as LGBT rights and is now a member of Cuba's national assembly. Raul's children seem to have more self-ambition.

Of the two Castro children, I am betting on Alejandro to take power soon. While his sister Mariela may be the more recognizable name due to her outspoken and visible support for prgressive causes such as LGBT rights in Cuba, Alejandro has been the man with a plan. 

Alejandro has impressive credentials in his own right. Possesing degrees on engineering and international relations, he rose from the ranks, albeit at a meteoric pace, to become his father's most trusted aide. Having a Castro for a surname, of course, helped. But, Alejandro did it the right way. He volunteered to go to Angola with the Cuban Expeditionary Forces where he lost an eye due an accident. He now has a rank of Colonel in the Interior Ministry and runs Cuba's notorious espionage network. He also happens to be a published author, so his academic credential is beyond reproach.

If I was a betting man, I will put my money on Alejandro emerging as a leader soon. He is well-respected in the diplomatic circle having helped his father Raul negotiate a rapprochement with the United States during the Obama administration, which culminated in a historic visit to Havana by Obama. 

Alejandro is perfectly placed to assume higher responsiblities in the future, if he wants it. His links with the security establishment will cement his ascension to power. The Cuban military, not the Cuban Communist Party, holds the real power in Cuba. Four of the six vice-presidents of the Cuban Council of Ministers are military officers, as are nine of the fourteen members of the Politburo. Even the Cuban economy is controlled by GAESA, a military-controlled conglomerate that controls more than half of Cuba's foreign currency revenues.

I think Diaz Canel has been retained, for now, in order to show the world that Cuba is not a Socialist monarchy. However, he would not be there for long because he is not part of the military elite. Colonel Alejando Castro, on the other hand, is the epitome of the military elite in Cuba. He the spymaster, an internationalista, and a budding diplomat to boot. The clear signal that the fair-haired prince is about to continue the time-honored Castro tradition of holding power is when he gets himself into the Politburo. Then, the kingdom would be there for him for the taking.