This move is not a democratic transition of power and it’s not even a changing of the guard’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued the following statement regarding the Cuban National Assembly’s elevation of First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel to be the new president:
“This week ends nearly 60 years of formal Castro rule in Cuba – but in name only. Raúl Castro will symbolically step aside and Cuba’s National Assembly will go through the motions of elevating his heir, First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
“This move is not a democratic transition of power and it’s not even a changing of the guard.
“Cuba is controlled by the Communist Party and Raúl will remain its head. The presidency is a ceremonial post, underneath the Party’s elites. By design, Cubans are not allowed to have free and fair elections. The Castros saw to that; after many decades, their legacy is an institutionalized dictatorship that will survive beyond the Castro name.
“The freedom-loving people of Cuba want to live in liberty, not under their communist overlords. They are working hard to restore democracy and the rule of law. We need to support them and reject the corrupt regime that stymies their legitimate aspirations – no matter what new face fronts that regime.”