The economic and political modifications in Cuba

The article considers both the role and place of Raul Castro - a prominent political and state leader of Cuba - in connection to changes that took place in the country after his older brother Fidel handed the highest powers over to him. Attention is focused on measures in the socio-economic sphere aimed at improving the existing development model. A significant space is allocated to changes in foreign policy pursuing closer integration into world economic relations. Special attention is paid to restoration of diplomatic relations with the United States of America interrupted more than 50 years ago due to the North American neighbor’s faults. The peacemaking initiatives are analyzed in detail. Specifically, the encounter in Havana between the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Francis stands out. The important changes took place in the domestic political sphere. Parliament approved a draft of the revised Constitution, elected the new Head of state and government – a relatively young politician, born after the triumph of revolution, Miguel Diaz-Kanel. In November 2018, right after his successful presidential campaign, he committed an unprecedented in scale trip to Europe and Asia.