Tepid response in Miami over Castro retirement

Cuban-Americans in Miami are reacting with a collective shrug over the news that Raul Castro plans to retire within five years.

Many believe Castro's departure and the ascendance of Miguel Diaz-Canel won't bring change.

"This is not a significant issue," said Jaime Suchlicki, a professor at the University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies. "He's done it before and Fidel did it before, and then they remove them in a year or two if they don't like what they're doing."

Exiles such as 74-year-old Alberto Faustino have been waiting years for the Castro brothers to leave or be forced out. Fidel Castro handed power to his brother after falling ill in 2006. Raul Castro said Sunday that his new presidential term would be his last.

Diaz-Canel has been tapped to be Raul Castro's top lieutenant and possible successor.

Faustino and other Cuban-Americans said the absence of free elections and continuation of rule by the Communist Party mean there will be little to celebrate when Castro is gone.

"Cuba is changing, not necessarily because the government is allowing it to, but because the people are demanding it," said Raul Moas with Roots of Hope, an international non-profit group focused on empowering youths in Cuba. "A lot of people feel like it's a non-event, but they are hopeful, just like they are hopeful for other reforms."