Fidel Castro made a surprise appearance, to thunderous applause from delegates, many of whom could be seen crying as he was helped to his place on stage by a young aide, then stood at attention during Cuba’s national anthem.
Wearing a blue track suit over a checked shirt, the 84-year-old revolutionary leader looked unsteady on his feet as he clutched the aide’s arm, and at times slumped in his chair. He became more animated as the proceedings continued, especially when Raul’s name was read out by an official announcing members of the party’s Central Committee. Fidel was left off the leadership slate for the first time.
But Raul said his brother needed no formal title to continue being the country’s guiding light. “Fidel is Fidel,’’ he said.
In a speech closing out the Congress, Raul acknowledged the lack of fresh faces, saying the country had failed to develop young leaders because of errors committed in the past, including by him and his brother.
“We have kept various veterans of the historic generation, and that is logical due to the consequences of the mistakes that have been made in this area,’’ Raul told 1,000 delegates gathered in a sprawling Havana convention center.
“These have robbed us of a back bench of mature substitutes with enough experience to take on the country’s top positions.’’
Named party second secretary was Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, an 80-year-old stalwart who set up field hospitals for the Castros when they were young rebels fighting to topple Fulgencio Batista in the 1950s. The number three spot went to Ramiro Valdes, a 78-year-old vice president who was with the brothers when they launched the revolution aboard the Granma yacht in 1956.
Ann Louise Bardach, a longtime Cuba expert and author of “Without Fidel’’ and “Cuba Confidential,’’ said the much-anticipated leadership announcement fell flat, with Raul Castro, Machado Ventura, and Valdes continuing to run things.
