In Cuba today begins the congress of the Communist Party, the only permitted political party in Cuba. The Congress marks the end of an era: Raúl Castro, Fidel’s brother, is expected to resign as head of the party and make way for a new generation. Does this mean the end of Castro’s rule?
Yuribert Capetillo Hardy made the VPRO documentary after the death of Fidel Castro at the end of 2016 Cuba na Castro. “Actually, the name is wrong, because Castro’s regime lives on,” he says. “It may be different in a few days, but as long as Raúl is still alive, he will be in charge.”
Correspondent Marc Bessems thinks that too. “Raúl will continue to hold a lot of power behind the scenes. He has been preparing for this retirement for years. He has appointed and prepared the new generation that will take over.”
Capetillo Hardy grew up in the Cuban capital Havana and wanted to leave the country at a young age. “With a TV antenna we could see American commercials. I saw all kinds of chocolate commercials, like Kit-Kat’s. We didn’t know that. My goal then became: Eat Kit-Kat.”
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