Who Is Fidel Castro's Brother
Fidel Castro's brother is Raúl Castro, the former President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba. Raúl was born on June 3, 1931, and served as the second in command to Fidel for decades. He formally transferred the presidency to Miguel Díaz-Canel in 2018 but retained influence as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. Raúl oversaw a gradual economic opening while maintaining state dominance over major sectors. His leadership marked a shift from the centralized model of his brother Fidel toward managed market reforms.
Raúl Castro's career in the Cuban government spans more than six decades. He joined the 26th of July Movement alongside Fidel in the 1950s and later commanded the armed forces. He held the defense portfolio for nearly fifty years before assuming the presidency. Under Raúl, Cuba began allowing small private enterprises and expanded property rights for citizens. These changes aimed to modernize the economy without dismantling the socialist framework that Fidel Castro established.
Raúl Castro's Economic Reforms and State Control
Key Economic Measures Under Raúl Castro
Raúl Castro authorized the expansion of the self-employment sector and legalized the purchase and sale of used vehicles and homes. He also permitted foreign investment in specific zones and updated the dual currency system. The state continues to control healthcare, education, and the largest industries, while small and medium private businesses grew under his watch. These reforms created a mixed structure where state enterprises coexist with newly permitted private activity.
The Cuban government under Raúl Castro maintained strict oversight over banking, media, and strategic industries. Raúl oversaw the consolidation of state-run enterprises and the creation of new non-agricultural cooperatives. He introduced targeted subsidies and social assistance programs to cushion the impact of economic adjustments. The reforms sought to increase productivity while preserving social welfare programs inherited from the era of Fidel Castro.
Political Legacy and International Context
Raúl Castro's Role in Cuba's Political System
Raúl Castro served as the head of the Communist Party of Cuba until April 2021, when Miguel Díaz-Canel succeeded him as First Secretary. He remained a member of the Politburo and continued to influence policy on national security and foreign affairs. Raúl maintained close ties with allied governments and state-backed firms across Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. His diplomatic approach emphasized sovereignty, non-intervention, and multilateral cooperation with other developing economies.
Raúl Castro's tenure coincided with shifts in global trade and sanctions regimes affecting Cuba. The United States under the Obama administration restored diplomatic relations and expanded travel and remittance channels, but later administrations re tightened restrictions. Raúl engaged with international partners, including the European Union and various multilateral organizations, to negotiate trade terms and financial support. He also oversaw Cuba's participation in regional forums and bilateral agreements with nations seeking closer economic ties.
Forbes has covered Raúl Castro's leadership style and Cuba's evolving economic policies in its international reporting. The Council on Foreign Relations provides analysis of Cuba's political transitions and Raúl Castro's role in regional diplomacy.