”I think this is Raúl definitely trying to put his own stamp on the government,” said Sandy Acosta Cox, a political analyst at ECHO-Cuba, a Miami nonprofit that offers aid to evangelical churches on the island. ‘I think this demonstrates that there were factions within the government: Fidelistas and Raúlistas. . . . Positioning key `Raúlistas’ in place, especially before the major announcement everyone is anticipating — Fidel’s death — ensures that there won’t be a power struggle between the two factions.”
Raúl Castro took over from his brother in the summer of 2006 but was not officially named president until a year ago. He took office under the pledge of efficiency, and often used his rare moments on the public stage to blast the Cuban government’s notorious wastefulness.
”This is Raúlismo at its best,” Mora said. “I don’t see ideology. I don’t see power politics. I see Raúl being Raúl.”