Raul Castro to let renters own their homes

In a major change in Cuba's state-controlled system, Raul Castro is allowing thousands of renters to gain title to their homes, AP is reporting. It's his first formal decree since he succeeded his brother Fidel as president in February.

Cubans — especially military families, sugar workers, construction workers, teachers and doctors — will be able to pass their homes or apartments to family members.

No word yet from Cuba's official paper, Granma (English, Spanish).

It's the latest in a series of moves by Castro to relax the restrictions Fidel instituted when he came to power nearly 50 years ago.

Yesterday, Reuters reported that Castro had scrapped limits on how much Cubans can now earn.

Posted by Michael Winter at 05:36 PM/ET, April 11, 2008 in Americas