Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro (L, front) and Cuban President Raul Castro (C, front), take part during the seventh Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), at the Palace of Conventions, in Havana, Cuba, on April 19, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]
Cuban leader Raul Castro has been re-elected as the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba.
He was approved by nearly 1,000 delegates attending the final plenary session of the party's seventh Congress.
"This could possibly be one of the last times that I speak from this room.ĦĦI have voted for all of the candidates who have been submitted by Congress and I am thankful for the invitation and the honour of you all listening to me. I congratulate everyone but firstly, comrade Raul Castro for his magnificent efforts."
His brother, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, made a rare appearance at the meeting and delivered a speech.
Raul has served as the First Secretary of the PCC since its last Congress held in 2011, replacing his elder brother.
Speaking after his election, 84 year old Raul Castro, said this would be the last congress headed by the current leaders, signalling that they would step aside sometime before the next meeting in five years time.
"Because of the relentless law of life this seventh Congress will be the last one led by the historic generation who will present the new pioneers with the flags of the Revolution and Socialism."
The PCC Central Committee also ratified Dr. Jose Ramon Machado Ventura in his position as Second Secretary of PCC.
The Cuban Communist Party on Monday also approved an update of a reform program for the 2016-2021 period.
It includes reforms to government accountability, foreign direct investment, the introduction of advanced technology, and the improvement of government bodies.
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