In the same Constitutive Session of the X Legislature of the National Assembly of Popular Power (ANPP) when he was re-elected as president, Miguel Diaz-Canel announced changes in the government team that will accompany him during his second and last term.
At his suggestion, the new Council of Minister underwent changes in six of its portfolios, some of importance such as foreign trade, finance and prices and education, in accordance with what published by the official newspaper Granma.
?♂️| The @Cuba Assemblyat the proposal of the president @DiazCanelBratified to @MMarreroCruz as prime minister.
The six deputy prime ministers were also ratified. #AsambleaDelPueblo pic.twitter.com/gnuZFnmMU6
— Presidency Cuba ?? (@PresidenciaCuba) April 19, 2023
Among those who assume new responsibilities is Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas, who from now on will be the head of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, whose operation is key for the purpose of refloating the dilapidated Cuban economy.
Until now, the position had been held by Rodrigo Malmierca, whose main missions were attracting the million-dollar foreign investment that the country needs, and which in recent years has not reached the projected levels.
Cabrisas, 86, has held different senior positions within the Cuban government, including Minister of Economy and Planning between 2016 and 2018, when he was replaced by Alejandro Gil.
The other new members of the Council of State announced were Naima Trujillo Barreta (Education), Walter Baluja García (Higher Education), Vladimir Regueiro Ale (Finance and Prices), Alfonso Noya Martínez (Information and Social Communication) and Raúl Omar Acosta Gregorich (Land Planning).
Díaz-Canel maintained leadership in key positions for the functioning of the country. These are the cases of Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, the head of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) Álvaro López Miera; Lázaro Alberto Álvarez (Interior); Juan Carlos García Aranda (Tourism); Ydael Brito (Agriculture) and Manuel Sobrino (Food Industry).
At the head of the government team repeats Manuel Marrero Cruz, who after taking office expressed his dissatisfaction as head of government for not having achieved the results expected by the people, according to a publication Granma.
In turn, he outlined the main lines of work of the new Council of Ministers, among which stands out the purpose of “producing more goods and services, especially food and medicines”, implementing “more actions to face inflation and the relentless fight for the sustained increase in abusive prices” and progress “in the restoration and stability of the National Electro-energy System”.
The newly appointed Council of Ministers will carry out its functions in the midst of the deep crisis that the country is experiencing, aggravated in recent years by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in sanctions imposed by the US government and the insufficient effect of the measures adopted to overcome the complex situation.
These circumstances have been a source of discomfort within the population, which was expressed in the form of social protests in the summer of 2021, and in an unprecedented migratory flow abroad, especially of young people.
Council of Ministers (2023-2028)
- Army Corps General Álvaro López Miera, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
- Division General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, Minister of the Interior.
- Alejandro Miguel Gil Fernández, Minister of Economy and Planning.
- Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment.
- René Mesa Villafaña, Minister of Construction.
- Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Relations.
- Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transportation.
- Elba Rosa Pérez Montoya, Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment.
- Oscar Silvera Martínez, Minister of Justice.
- Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Minister of Domestic Trade.
- Alpidio Alonso Grau, Minister of Culture.
- Mayra Arevich Marín, Minister of Communications.
- José Angel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health.
- Ydael Pérez Brito, Minister of Agriculture.
- Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, Minister of Labor and Social Security.
- Juan Carlos García Granda, Minister of Tourism
- Joaquín Alonso Vázquez, Minister-President of the Central Bank of Cuba.
- Manuel Sobrino Martínez, Minister of the Food Industry.
- Eloy Álvarez Martínez, Minister of Industries.
- Vicente de La O Levy, Minister of Energy and Mines.
- Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources.
- Osvaldo Vento Montiller, president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation.
- Naima Trujillo Barreta, Minister of Education.
- Walter Baluja García, Minister of Higher Education.
- Vladimir Regueiro Ale, Minister of Finance and Prices.
- Alfonso Noya Martínez, president of the Institute of Information and Social Communication.
- Raúl Omar Acosta Gregorich, president of the Land Management Institute.
