Cuba's Raúl Castro hands over power to Miguel Díaz-Canel Published duration 19 April 2018

image copyright AFP image caption Miguel Díaz-Canel had been widely expected to take over from Raúl Castro

Miguel Díaz-Canel has been sworn in as Cuba's new president, replacing Raúl Castro who took over from his ailing brother Fidel in 2006.

It is the first time since the revolution in 1959 that a Castro is not at the helm of the government.

Mr Díaz-Canel had been serving as first vice-president for the past five years.

Even though Mr Díaz-Canel was born after the revolution, he is a staunch ally of Raúl Castro and is not expected to make any radical changes.

There was "no room in Cuba for those who strive for the restoration of capitalism" he said in his inaugural address.

'The Revolution continues its course'

He was elected by the members of the National Assembly, all 605 of whom were voted in in March after standing unopposed.

Mr Castro is expected to continue wielding considerable political influence in his role as the leader of Cuba's ruling Communist Party.

'Political continuity': Will Grant, BBC Cuba correspondent

Cuba's new President, Miguel Díaz-Canel, entered the chamber alongside the outgoing president, Raúl Castro.

The moment captured the image of political continuity the Cuban government has been keen to stress: an ordered handover of power from one generation to the next.

There was a small surprise, a single dissenting vote to Díaz-Canel's nomination as president, as he was confirmed by just 99.83% of the vote.

Still, he had the one and only ballot he really needed: Raúl Castro's.

In his inaugural speech, Mr Díaz-Canel said that his mandate was "to ensure the continuity of the Cuban revolution at a key historic moment" and assured the members of the National Assembly that "the revolution continues its course".

He said that Cuba's foreign policy would remain "unaltered" and that any "necessary changes" would be decided by the Cuban people.

A large part of his speech was dedicated to praising his predecessor in office, to whom he said: "Cuba needs you." This prompted the more than 600 National Assembly members to rise to their feet and give the 86-year-old former leader a standing ovation.

Any changes Mr Díaz-Canel will bring in are likely to be gradual, slow-paced and in keeping with the reforms Raúl Castro introduced since he first took over power from his brother, Fidel.

Key reforms under Raúl Castro:

image copyright AFP

2008: New agricultural strategy is launched, promising to grant a million hectares of land to private farmers

2010: Loosening of rules governing business activities, allowing Cubans to set up their own small private businesses

2011: Opening up of the housing market, allowing Cubans to buy and sell their homes

2013: First wi-fi zones created as part of a push to make the internet more accessible for Cubans

2014: US-Cuban thaw announced leading to the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the former foes

Source: BBC Monitoring

The new leader will have to consider how to overcome the problems caused by the economic collapse of Cuba's ally, Venezuela, and what kind of relationship the Caribbean island wants with the US under Donald Trump.

image copyright AFP image caption Cubans will judge the new leader on whether their lives improve

Last year, the new American president reimposed certain travel and trade restrictions eased by the Obama administration but did not reverse key diplomatic and commercial ties.