Raul Castro Wants Term Limits

Raul Castro, 79, who took over his brother Fidel's role as Cuba's president in 2008, spoke on Saturday at the first congress of Cuba's ruling Communist party in 14 years. He said Cuba's socialist system was in need of renewal and promised "systematic rejuvenation" of the government. During his speech, President Castro emphasized that top political positions—including his own—should be limited to two five-year terms, a shock considering he and his brother have ruled the island for 52 years. Castro also said that plans were under way to update Cuba's economy and reduce the state's role in the country's economic system. He acknowledged that "the confidence of the majority of Cubans had been tested," and said they would have to overcome a "mentality of inertia" in order to move forward with their socialist revolution.