In a significant constitutional shift, Cuba’s National Assembly has approved a reform that removes the maximum age limit of 60 for presidential candidates, paving the way for older leaders to remain eligible for the country’s top office. The reform was passed during a parliamentary session in Havana on July 16, 2025, which was attended by President and First Secretary Miguel Díaz-Canel, as shown in a handout photo released by the Cuban News Agency (ACN).
While the constitutional changes eliminate the age cap, other key eligibility requirements remain unchanged. The minimum age for presidential candidates is still set at 35, and the restriction of serving only two five-year terms remains in force.
According to Esteban Lazo, president of the National Assembly, the measure permits candidacy for individuals who are “in the full exercise of their physical and mental faculties, with loyalty and a revolutionary trajectory.” He emphasized that age should not be a disqualifier if the candidate continues to meet these standards.
The first vote for the reform came from 94-year-old former president Raúl Castro, who still holds a seat in the Assembly. His participation underscored the enduring influence of the revolutionary generation even as the country faces mounting social and economic pressures.
President Díaz-Canel, who is 65 years old, assumed the presidency in 2018 and was re-elected in 2023. With no successor publicly named, the amendment leaves open the possibility of his candidacy in future elections, including the 2028 presidential race.
The 2019 constitution, which initially introduced age and term limits for the presidency, had marked a departure from the leadership model of Fidel and Raúl Castro, who held power in Cuba for six decades. Fidel Castro, who led from 1959, handed over power to Raúl in 2006 due to health issues and died in 2016. Raúl officially became president in 2008 and stepped down as Communist Party first secretary in 2021, passing the mantle to Díaz-Canel.
This constitutional amendment comes at a time when Cuba is grappling with its worst economic crisis in thirty years, characterized by severe shortages of essential goods, widespread electricity outages, and record-breaking levels of emigration.
