Wednesday 20 April 2016 20:24
SABC
Fidel Castro looked healthier than he has for a long time.(REUTERS)
Addressing the congregational meeting in Cuba on Tuesday, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro said this could be his last address to Congress.
Castro approved all candidates during the country`s first congregational meeting in Havana, Cuba.
Castro, who looked healthier than he has for a long time, told the 1300 delegates that this could possibly be his last address to the Congress. He relinquished power 10 years ago following a serious illness.
"Soon, I will be turning 90-years-old. I never imagined it and it has not been the fruit of any labour. It was purely a whim by destiny. This could possibly be one of the last times that I speak from this room. I have voted for all of the candidates who have been submitted by Congress and I am thankful for the invitation and the honour of you all listening to me. I congratulate everyone but firstly, Comrade Raul Castro for his magnificent efforts. We will start the march and we will perfect that which we have to perfect with unwavering loyalty and united strength, like (Jose) Marti, (Antonio) Maceo and (Maximo) Gomez, we will march unstoppably."
The eventual death of Fidel was once expected to destabilise Cuba, provoking CIA plots to kill him. The smooth transfer to his brother Raul Castro largely ended such speculation.
The congress reviewed the difficulties the party faces among them implementing market reforms, maintaining its leadership over an increasingly diverse and informed population and dampening expectations raised by detente with the United States and President Barack Obama`s visit to the country last month.
At the end of the congress, the Communist Party said Raul Castro had been re-elected as first secretary, with Jose Ramon Machado.