Miguel Díaz-Canel

Havana on July 12 blamed a U.S. "policy of economic suffocation" for unprecedented protests against Cuba's communist government, as Washington pointed the finger at "decades of repression" in the one-party state.

Cuba's ruling Communist Party elected President Miguel Diaz-Canel to succeed Raul Castro as party first secretary, the most powerful position in the country, on the final day of its congress on Monday, Reuters reported.

Cuba's first prime minister in more than four decades -- long-serving tourism minister Manuel Marrero -- took office on Dec. 21 as the country resurrected a post last held by Fidel Castro.    

Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez agreed with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to deepen bilateral political ties on Thursday, at the start of the first official visit by a Spanish leader to the Communist-run country in three decades, according to ewn.co.za

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Sept. 24 his government wants a "civilized" relationship with the United States - despite the embargo imposed on the island by the US since 1962.

BBC - Miguel Díaz-Canel has been sworn in as Cuba's new president, replacing Raúl Castro who took over from his ailing brother Fidel in 2006.

It is the first time since the revolution in 1959 that a Castro is not at the helm of the government.

Mr Díaz-Canel had been serving as first vice-president for the past five years.

HAVANA - Through the Space Age, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Internet era, Cubans held one constant: A Castro ruled the nation.

That is about to change.

HAVANA - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gave a lecture at the University of Havana on Thursday, outlining his views on how to strengthen the cooperation and friendly ties with Cuba.

The lecture, titled "Serbia in Europe - Guardian of Independence and Sovereignty", was also attended by Miguel Diaz-Canel, first vice president of the Cuban Council of State.