Cuba's Raul Castro points to 'gradual power transfer'

26 July 2013 Last updated at 18:34 GMT

Cuba's Raul Castro points to 'gradual power transfer'
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says the main focus of the speech was on history

President Raul Castro has said power in Cuba is being gradually
transferred, in a speech at celebrating 60 years since the start of the
revolution.

The revolutionaries were giving way to a new generation who would keep
socialist ideals alive, Mr Castro said.

Several Latin American leaders gathered in Santiago to mark the failed
Moncada barracks assault, seen as the start of Mr Castro's brother
Fidel's revolution.

Fidel Castro stepped down from power in 2008 after a series of health
issues.

He was absent from Friday's celebrations in Santiago.

Whereas in Fidel's time it was customary to make big announcements on 26
July, Raul Castro has been keeping a lower profile at the event.

'Serene confidence'
This year, President Castro - who's been pushing a string of economic
and political changes in the country - paid tribute to his brother and
the revolution.

"The historic generation is giving way to the new one, with tranquillity
and serene confidence, based on the preparation and competence to keep
the flags of the revolution and socialism flying high," he told the crowd.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega and
Uruguay's Jose Mujica were among dignitaries in the audience.

Mr Mujica, who also took up arms with revolutionaries in his country,
said the Cuban revolution had given other Latin American nations confidence.

"This was a revolution of dignity. It gave us dreams," he said.

On Wednesday, the former revolutionary had a personal meeting with Fidel
Castro.

Following the talks, he said Mr Castro was weighed down by his age but
remained brilliant and youthful in his mind.

The annual 26 July rally marks the anniversary of the first battle of
the Cuban revolution when Fidel, along with Raul, led an attack on the
Moncada barracks.

It was successfully repelled by the army of dictator Fulgencio Batista
and the Castro brothers were sent to prison but later released.

Source: "BBC News - Cuba's Raul Castro points to 'gradual power
transfer'" - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23471372