United Nations calls for end to US embargo on Cuba, again
Cuba denies US allegations of mercenary activity in Ukraine and insists the embargo is a form of collective punishment.

Cuba denies US allegations of mercenary activity in Ukraine and insists the embargo is a form of collective punishment.



![Cuba's President and newly-elected First Secretary of the Communist Party Miguel Diaz-Canel speaks during the closing session of the 8th Congress of the Communist Party in Havana, Cuba, on April 19, 2021 [Ariel Ley Royero/ACN via Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-19T173200Z_1098015844_RC25ZM9EK1UO_RTRMADP_3_CUBA-POLITICS.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

![Investors, analysts and Cuban citizens will all be watching this weekend's congress closely — and seeing how many more of the country's so-called 'historic generation' actually depart, as Raul Castro (centre) has. That, experts say, will be crucial to knowing whether economic change is actually in the cards or whether business will continue as usual [File: Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/AP19355685980477.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Raul Castro led Cuba's army, then succeeded his brother Fidel as president of the country, then first secretary of the Communist Party [File: Alejandro Ernesto/Pool/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2014-01-02T120000Z_505579105_GM1EA120SSZ01_RTRMADP_3_CUBA.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)


The electoral law allows for both a president and a prime minister but bars a multiparty system.
Decades after his brother overthrew Cuba’s US-backed leader, Raul Castro slams Washington for return to confrontation.
Miguel Diaz-Canel’s election marks first time in nearly six decades the Communist country will not be led by a Castro.

A new era dawns for Cuba for the first time in almost 60 years Communist country’s leader is not called Castro.
It will be the first time in nearly six decades that the island country will not be led by a Castro.
It will be the first time in nearly six decades that the island country will not be led by a Castro.
For the first time in six decades, Cuba will be led by a person who does not carry the name Castro.
Little known about 57-year-old’s plans to tackle challenges facing Communist country, including its struggling economy.
Eight million Cubans expected to ratify 605 candidates in a vote for the first president who isn’t a Castro in 60 years.

Cuba is about to get a new president, and it will not be a Castro after nearly 60 years of their leadership.