If Cuba falls, who steps in? Castro dynasty shadows island’s future

If Cuba falls, who steps in? Castro dynasty shadows island’s future

Analysts say Cuba's leadership vacuum is by design, with Raúl Castro still seen as the key power behind President Díaz-Canel.

A poster of Cuba's Fidel Castro hangs on the wall of a food market next to a plate that reads in Spanish, "I'm looking at you", in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. Castro's brother Raul Castro has been in power since a near-fatal illness forced Fidel to step aside in 2006. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)

A poster of Cuba's Fidel Castro hangs on the wall of a food market next to a plate that reads in Spanish, "I'm looking at you", in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. Castro's brother Raul Castro has been in power since a near-fatal illness forced Fidel to step aside in 2006. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes)

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel gestures during the BRICS summit second plenary session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025. (PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images)

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel gestures during the BRICS summit second plenary session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025. (PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images)

Cuba's Minister of Foreign Investment Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga speaks at the 41st Havana International Fair (FIHAV) in Havana, Cuba Nov. 25, 2025. (Norlys Perez/Reuters)

Cuba's Minister of Foreign Investment Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga speaks at the 41st Havana International Fair (FIHAV) in Havana, Cuba Nov. 25, 2025. (Norlys Perez/Reuters)

Alejandro Castro Espin, son of Cuba's President Raul Castro, is seen during an event commemorating the one year anniversary of the death of late Cuban President Fidel Castro, Havana, Cuba, Nov. 25, 2017. (Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

Alejandro Castro Espin, son of Cuba's President Raul Castro, is seen during an event commemorating the one year anniversary of the death of late Cuban President Fidel Castro, Havana, Cuba, Nov. 25, 2017. (Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz attends a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2023. (Sputnik/Dmitry Astakhov/Pool via Reuters)

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz attends a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow, Russia June 13, 2023. (Sputnik/Dmitry Astakhov/Pool via Reuters)

Cuba's Minister of Public Health Roberto Morales Ojeda looks on during a news conference on support to Ebola affected countries, at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva September 12, 2014. (Pierre Albouy/Reuters)

Cuba's Minister of Public Health Roberto Morales Ojeda looks on during a news conference on support to Ebola affected countries, at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva September 12, 2014. (Pierre Albouy/Reuters)

Rosa Maria Paya, daughter of late Cuban dissident Oswaldo Paya, is seen during a tribute to her father's memory in Santiago, Chile April 17, 2017. (Ivan Alvarado/Reuters)

Rosa Maria Paya, daughter of late Cuban dissident Oswaldo Paya, is seen during a tribute to her father's memory in Santiago, Chile April 17, 2017. (Ivan Alvarado/Reuters)

Protesters gather outside a Communist Party headquarters in Morón, Cuba, as a fire burns in the street during overnight unrest. Video obtained by Fox News Digital appeared to show demonstrators attempting to set fire to the building amid protests linked to widespread blackouts. (Reuters)

Protesters gather outside a Communist Party headquarters in Morón, Cuba, as a fire burns in the street during overnight unrest. Video obtained by Fox News Digital appeared to show demonstrators attempting to set fire to the building amid protests linked to widespread blackouts. (Reuters)

Fidel Castro, left, raises his brother's hand, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, as they sing the anthem of international socialism in Havana, Cuba. (AP)

Fidel Castro, left, raises his brother's hand, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, as they sing the anthem of international socialism in Havana, Cuba. (AP)