Earlier this week, the Cuban National Assembly had announced that Miguel Diaz-Canel was formally nominated to assume the role as the nation’s president. The Castro Family has governed Cuba, a socialist nation, since the rule of Fidel Castro in 1959. This is the first time in 59 years that a Castro family member has not succeeded the presidency. However, Raul Castro will continue to lead the Communist Party until 2021. 2SER were joined by Alberto Posso, Associate Professor in Economics, from the International Development and Trade Research Group based in RMIT.