President Fidel Castro is nearing 80, and both within and outside Cuba forces are manoeuvring for the succession.
Inside Cuba, the official line is that Raul Castro will succeed his older brother, and few are prepared to stray from this script.
The government is convinced it has the support of the Cuban people. But there are tensions below the surface - both political and economic - which some believe could mean a change to the avowedly socialist system.
Of course, the future of this Caribbean nation may not be in the gift of those who live on the island.
In Washington, a "transition co-ordinator" has been appointed, and tasked with accelerating the end of the Castro administration, and preventing the presidency passing to Raul.
In Miami, the exile community remains vociferous in its opposition to Fidel, and determined to make an impact after his demise.
For BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents, Nick Caistor visits Cuba and the United States to explore the options for, and pressures on, this revolutionary Caribbean nation in the era following El Presidente.
Presenter: Nick Caistor
Producer: Linda Pressly
Web Producer: Nathalie Knowles
Editor: Maria Balinska
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