Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium

On February 19, Fidel Castro announced his departure as leader of the Cuba after more than 49 years in unquestioned power.  A wave of speculation followed regarding who will next command Cuba with Fidel no longer in charge.  While the Communist Party may put forward a new face as President of Cuba’s Council of State, there is no doubt that Fidel’s younger brother Raúl will exercise a decisive influence in the months and years ahead.  Whether it is implementing economic reforms, opening the political space, or charting a new relationship with the United States, Raúl Castro will play a decisive role in determining Cuba’s domestic and foreign policy.  Brian Latell will offer his views and insights from decades spent analyzing Cuba and the leadership of the Castro brothers.    

Brian Latell served as National Intelligence Officer at the CIA for Latin America.  Before retiring from government service in 1998, he was the Director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence.  He is the author of After Fidel: Raúl Castro and the Future of Cuba’s Revolution (paperback, updated 2007), copies of which will be available for purchase and to be signed by the author.