After 59 Years, a Castro Is No Longer Official Leader of Cuba

Raúl Castro kicked off a generational change by handing over the presidency to his handpicked successor, who signaled little policy change

Raúl Castro kicked off a generational change in Cuba by handing over the nation’s presidency to his handpicked successor, marking the first time since 1959 that Cuba’s destiny will be in the hands of a man not named Castro.

But Cuba’s new 57-year-old president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, who Mr. Castro said should hold power for a decade in two presidential terms, signaled little will change.

In...