now at 11 continuous coverage on the
historic transition in Cuba Raul Castro
officially steps down as president
tomorrow and Miguel Diaz canal takes on
the title and I'm Laurie Jennings here
at home local 10 News is the one and
only self Laura station with complete
live team coverage from here in South
Florida to Cuba Calvin today marks the
end of an era for the Castro regime but
many back here at home they don't really
believe much will change and that's
pretty much the attitude being held by
so many we spoke with earlier today but
as you know sometimes you know you don't
choose to make history history chooses
you and in this case an old
revolutionary chose a rising star in the
Cuban Communist Party dating back nearly
a decade the political script on Cuba's
future played out exactly like the
author wrote it Raul Castro the old
revolutionary retires me and Mario the
Afghan in mid Morris the hand-picked
president receives the praise and takes
the title the momentous and historic
occasion seemed dramatic and for Cuba's
soon-to-be new leader Miguel Diaz canal
emotional but for many watching around
the world and on the streets of Havana
this day was no surprise the s canal was
cashing in on years of loyalty to
hardline communism and his mentor Castro
at 57 years old he will soon be the
first Cuban born after the Revolution to
hold the title of president but the
power still belongs to Castro and his
aging comrades confirmation came today
when members of the National Assembly
chose 85 year-old Ramiro Valdez one of
Castro's old fighters from the days of
the revolution nothing is going to
change he says I think Cuba needs a
change but not political but rather in
economical change at Civello the
one-and-only from south florida are
working here in south florida he's been
working here for more than a year now
and that's oh you know we talk so much
about the transition of power today more
symbolic than historic in many ways
because Raul Castro still has
the power I would say both but mostly
symbolic because as you know Castro
remains as secretary of the party and
the party runs the agenda in this
country no doubt about it in let's talk
economy now here for Cuba we're talking
this economy not quite on life support
but just about there 2% growth over the
last several years it's not gonna cut it
a lot of challenges you have less
support from Venezuela you have US
relations not going well so less tourism
a lot of things including the dual
currency system which Castro has said in
the in the in time before that it's
going to come to an end but that hasn't
happened a new challenge for es canal
and lorry was interesting too is that
even by their own estimates top Cuban
officials have said they need about 2.5
billion dollars a year in foreign
investment just to stay afloat so goes
Venezuela as we know they're in turmoil
so goes the stability of the Cuban
economy and Calvin and Hadsell have
joined here by Louis at home let's stay
with the topic of the economy what if
Diaz canal were to move too fast with
economic reforms very simply put Laurie
if he moves too fast he runs the risk of
alienating the hardliners in the Cuban
Communist Party if he moves too slowly
impatience and frustration for the young
people here on the island hassle let's
talk u.s. Cuba relations and the
challenges that Diaz canal now faces is
there a next step in this or is the
diplomatic door closed especially with
Trump pulling back any attempt to
normalize relations Louie it all depends
what happens with the embassy worker a
tax investigation where we understand
that that's about almost wrapping up by
the FBI according to Senator Marco Rubio
but what really messes up the whole
thing the whole picture here is now you
have the Canadian government adding new
information pulling some of the families
of the staffers here in Havana so that
complicates a relationship because Louis
as you know in Calvin as you know Canada
and Cuba have had a long-term
relationship a really good one
absolutely and we understand it all
becomes official tomorrow is there some
sort of inauguration or celebration plan
ceremonious for Raul Castro is very
likely he will give some sort of
retirement speech they begin at about
9:00
tomorrow and it's likely we're gonna
hear from Miguel Diaz canal yes of
course and but I think we're gonna hear
some of the same stuff that we've heard
before things themes like sovereignty
and most importantly continuity
something that's been been pushed in
social media by agencies and government
officials here on the island following
the script many are saying today not
only here on the island but of course
back across the Florida Straits we'll be
here to cover it all for you a lot more
coming up on the local 10 Morning News
as well as we're live at noon tomorrow
but for now for hats Avella I'm Calvin
Hughes well Ivanov Anna Lorie and Louie
we'll send it back to you regardless the
beginning of a new chapter Calvin hassle
thank you so much we look forward to
your live reports from Havana all the
rest of this week and certainly Louis as
we mentioned South Florida's exile
community they really don't believe that
much is going to change with Diaz Canal
Laurie many people are convinced is
merely just a transition of politics I
mean of power now politics Cubans at
Versailles restaurant were there was a
massive celebration when Fidel Castro
died say it's still going to be the same
dictatorship just under a different name
the puppet Raul got a week to see behind
because rocketry it's safer in Cuba
their site many exiles agree that not
having Castro as president as a sign of
a generational change on the island but
believe that Raul will ultimately still
call the shots since he will remain head
of the Communist Party local lawmakers
are also weighing in on this historic
transition with Senator Marco Rubio
calling it a sham and Senator Bill
Nelson saying it may have little impact
on relations between the u.s. and Cuba
there's only one candidate for president
he's gonna pretty sure he's gonna win
and and that's why it's so absurd so but
nothing nothing's gonna change in the
short term if Raul still has his finger
on what's being done well you see what
he's done in the last few years once the
u.s. recognized Cuba it's still a
repressive regime and state with local
10 for continuing team coverage on this
historic change look for more live
reports from Calvin and hassle in Havana
tomorrow