Castro Names New Foreign Minister
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HAVANA — A former Communist Party youth leader once seen as a protege and surrogate son to Cuban President Fidel Castro was replaced as foreign minister Friday by an even younger man--the 34-year-old chief of staff who handles Castro’s daily schedule.
Castro’s replacement of Roberto Robaina, 43, with Felipe Perez Roque, a key advisor to the president for seven years, appeared aimed at giving Castro tighter control over Cuba’s foreign policy.
Perez Roque “is familiar as few are with the ideas and thoughts of Fidel,” the Communist Party daily Granma said.
Although rumors had circulated in recent weeks that Robaina was going to be moved from the Foreign Ministry, the news surprised much of the political establishment.
Robaina was not seen in public Friday and issued no statements.
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