Regime Leaders and
Policy Orientation
Fidel Castro
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Raul Castro
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Hardliners
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Centrists
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Reformers
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Fidel Castro
- continues as Cuba's supreme patriarch and
leader, whose presence helps to legitimize the regime and preserve its
internal cohesion. It remains to be seen if this internal cohesion can
be maintained in the event that Castro becomes incapacitated or dies.
Raul Castro
- remains a committed communist and a fidelista,
but has been always far more pragmatic and administratively competent
than his older brother.
Policy orientation:
Duros
- Hardliners -
led by Fidel Castro, effectively restrict political and economic
liberalization. The duros are found among the Cuban Communist
Party's old guard and the Ministry of the Interior. Political Bureau
members José Ramon Machado Ventura, Esteban Lazo, Provincial First
Secretary Jose Lezcano and Division General Abelardo Colomé Ibarra of
the Ministry Interior are among this group.
Centristas
- Centrists -
led by Raul Castro, adhere to a hardline when it comes to security
issues. They support martket mechanisms to improve the state-run economy
and are behind modest reforms. Among this group, National Assembly
President Ricardo Alarcon, some of the younger Political Bureau members
such as Abel Prieto, and Division Generals Ulises Rosales del Toro and
Julio Casa Ruguiero are members.
Reformistas
- Reformers -
led by Economic Czar Carlos Lage. They are more willing to tolerate
dissidents and a loyal opposition. Recognize the efficacy of a market
system and embrace a mixed economy. National Bank President Francisco
Soberon is among this group.
Source: Edward Gonzalez. 1996. Cuba:
Clearing Perilous Waters. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation.
