From left: former Cuban president Raul Castro, former vice president Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, incumbent Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdez Menendez raise their hands during a meeting to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Cuban revolution in Santiago de Cuba on January 1, 2024. In his speech to close the event, Castro emphasized the need for unity and trust in the new generation of leaders. Photo: AFP