Who was Raúl Castro?

In the countryside of eastern Cuba, in Birán, Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz came into the world on June 3, 1931. Little did anyone know that this child would grow up to become one of the central figures in the history of Cuba.

Raúl's early years were marked by the struggles of his family, who worked on a sugar plantation. Poverty was a constant companion, but it also fueled the flames of discontent that would later ignite the Cuban Revolution. As Raúl entered adulthood, he, along with his brother Fidel, became increasingly involved in Cuba's politics, inspired by the injustices they witnessed around them.

The timeline of Raúl's life began to intertwine with the major events shaping Cuba. Through it all, Cuba endured immense challenges, yet the spirit of resilience remained strong in its people, symbolized by Raúl's unwavering commitment to the revolution.

As Raúl Castro's retirement from the leadership role unfolded in April 2021, it marked the end of an era in Cuban politics, being the first time, a member of the Castro family had not been in power since the revolution. But it also symbolized a transition towards a future where the principles of the revolution would continue to guide the nation forward, navigating the complexities of a changing world while remaining rooted in its revolutionary past.