Cuba gets first prime minister in over 40 years


PTI, Dec 22, 2019, 11:59 AM IST

Havana: Cuba’s first prime minister in more than four decades long-serving tourism minister Manuel Marrero — took office Saturday as the country resurrected a post last held by Fidel Castro.

The appointment of Marrero, 56, as head of government is part of a process of decentralization and generational change from the revolutionary old guard that is aimed at extending and protecting Communist Party rule.

“This proposal was duly approved by the political bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba,” President Miguel Diaz-Canel said, presenting it to the country’s National Assembly, which unanimously signed off.

Immediately after his presentation, Marrero received a handshake from former president Raul Castro, the leader of the Communist Party.

Marrero “is not coming to the job to transform, but rather to implement and manage. The president is the one who leads,” said Cuba specialist Arturo Lopez-Levy of Holy Names University in California.

Marrero served as tourism minister from 2004, late in revolutionary hero Fidel Castro’s administration, continuing in the post under Fidel’s brother Raul and the current president, Diaz-Canel.

He began his career in government in 1999 as vice president of the powerful Gaviota Hotel Group belonging to the armed forces, becoming its president a year later — a post he held until 2004.

“Throughout his career… (Marrero) has been characterized by his modesty, honesty, work capacity, political sensitivity and loyalty to the party and the revolution,” Diaz-Canel said.

The new premier “has led the tourism industry in a commendable fashion, which constitutes one of the main lines of development of the national economy,” he added.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Alphabet gets CCI’s clearance to acquire stake in Flipkart

‘COVID was different’: SC bemoans distribution of free ration

Nagarjuna’s younger son Akhil Akkineni engaged

People getting heartburns after I became CM for second time: Siddaramaiah

Newborn baby kidnapped from Kalaburagi hospital in Karnataka

Gukesh draws with Liren in second game of World Chess Championship

All about ‘One Nation One Subscription’ scheme

Related Articles More

Will impose 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada, Mexico: Trump

Internal divisions leave open question whether Gandhi’s vision will ever be fully realised in India: Bill Clinton

COP29: India rejects new USD 300 billion climate finance deal

Royal tour of India in offing for King Charles, Queen Camilla: Report

Indian-American leaders applaud PM Modi for inclusive growth in India

MUST WATCH

Grafting

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing


Latest Additions

Alphabet gets CCI’s clearance to acquire stake in Flipkart

‘COVID was different’: SC bemoans distribution of free ration

Telugu actor Shri Tej booked for alleged cheating, false marriage promise

Five arrested in connection with botched angioplasty deaths at Gujarat hospital

Deceased Kannur official’s widow moves Kerala HC for CBI probe into his death

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.