Raúl's Cuba

Marifeli Pérez-Stable (right) will discuss ""Raúl's Cuba: Domestic and International Challenges" at 4:15 p.m. Thursday (3 April) in Room C103, Hesburgh Center, University of Notre Dame, South Bend.

Dr. Pérez-Stable is vice president for democratic governance at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, DC, and a professor of sociology at Miami’s Florida International University. She is also the director of “National Dialogues on Democracy in Latin America,” a project sponsored by the Inter-American Dialogue with the cooperation of the Organization of American States.

An abstract of her presentation:
"In February 2008, Raúl Castro assumed the presidencies of the Cuban councils of state and ministries, choosing hard-liner José Ramón Machado Ventura as first vice president of both councils. In his inaugural speech, Raúl announced a restructuring of the state administration, hinted at economic reforms, and said he would delay naming ministers until the end of 2008.....

"Raúl’s principal domestic challenges are to maintain political control and improve living standards. His international obstacles include improving relations with the US, and maintaining positive relations with Hugo Chávez, while lessening Cuban dependence on Venezuelan oil."