havana cuba mark first anniversary death revolutionary leader fidel castro saturday week vigils nationwide island embark political cycle end 60 years castro brothers rule fidel tower figure 20th century build communist-run state doorstep unite state defy u.s. efforts topple die age 90 nov. 25 last year cold war icon already largely public view around decade formally cede presidency young brother raul castro 2008 due ill health cubans say death change little island pace reform instigate raul update soviet-style command economy continue hesitantly cuba relationship unite state meanwhile actually worsen due u.s. president donald trump hostile stance significant politically analysts say electoral cycle start sunday municipal vote end selection new president late february raul 86 say would step end two consecutive term transition expect gradual raul remain head communist party come however country face tricky time decline aid ally venezuela weak export result cash crunch even know future say ariadna valdivia 45 high school teacher raul end term 2018 fidel already history really see way improve things salaries food always get expensive trump tighten embargo time death castro public limelight since intestinal ailment nearly kill 2006 occasionally write columns receive foreign dignitaries home death last year plunge cuba nine days national mourn funeral cortege carry ash three-day journey havana final rest place east island launch cuban revolution fidel become nationwide chant many cubans pledge stay faithful revolution lead 1959 overthrow u.s.-backed dictator best leader say rene perez havana taxi driver echo feel many cubans miss fidel leadership especially time crisis raul appear public hurricane irma thrash island september keep wish avoid personality cult statues make fidel public place name cuba even tomb sober affair large granite boulder santiago de cuba santa ifigenia cemetery plaque simply read fidel galas vigils honor fidel hold around country week accord state-run media cultural institutions like national ballet dedicate show memory state television run archive footage loop municipal vote sunday part electoral process direct participation ordinary cubans cast state media show support ideas posters fidel hang assemblies neighborhoods nominate candidates last two months follow provincial national assembly elections candidates select slat commission new national assembly late february select successor castro widely expect first vice president miguel diaz-canel eduardo torres director cuba national library say several politicians well place become president would never another fidel country face generational transition raul weight historic generation say torres leave another generation another history start build cuba mark anniversary fidel death post-castro era near