What's Fidel Castro's Brother's Name?

When discussing the Castro family, the name that immediately comes to mind is Fidel Castro, the iconic Cuban leader who ruled the country for nearly five decades. However, there is another influential Castro who played a significant role in Cuban politics – Fidel Castro's brother, Raúl Castro.

Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz was born on June 3, 1931, in Birán, Cuba. He is the younger brother of Fidel Castro and became a prominent figure in the Cuban Revolution alongside his brother. Raúl served as Cuba's Minister of Defense from 1959 to 2008, a position he held longer than anyone else in the world. During this time, he was considered the second most powerful figure in the country, after Fidel.

Following Fidel Castro's illness in 2006, Raúl assumed temporary power, and in 2008, he officially became the President of the Council of State and the President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba. He held these positions until April 2018 when he was succeeded by Miguel Díaz-Canel.

Raúl Castro's leadership marked a period of significant change in Cuba. He introduced economic reforms, allowing for limited private enterprise and foreign investment, which aimed to modernize the Cuban economy. Moreover, he initiated a process of restoring diplomatic relations with the United States, which had been strained for decades. This led to the historic visit of President Barack Obama to Cuba in 2016, marking the first time in 88 years that a sitting U.S. president visited the country.

Despite stepping down from the presidency, Raúl Castro still remains a prominent figure in Cuban politics. He continues to serve as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, a position that holds significant influence over the country's political and social affairs.

So, while Fidel Castro may be the more well-known Castro brother, Raúl Castro's contributions to Cuban politics and his influential role in shaping the country's direction cannot be overlooked.

Sign Up