It was reinstated under the rules of a new constitution for the communist-run island passed earlier this year.With his health failing, Castro handed power to his brother, Raúl, in 2006. Even as demand has slackened and Cuba's economy has stalled, Gaesa and contractors like French construction firm Bouygues have been rapidly building thousands of new hotel rooms, most destined to be managed by Spanish hospitality companies and other foreign partners.Marrero Cruz was named to his former post by Fidel Castro and saw tourism grow to one of the country's largest earners of hard currency, alongside nickel mining and the dispatch of doctors and other professionals on government contracts overseas. Prime Minister of Cuba - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia The position of prime minister was held by Fidel Castro from 1959 to 1976, when a new constitution changed his title to president and eliminated the post of prime minister.HAVANA (AP) — Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday named Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz as the country's first prime minister since 1976 — a nomination quickly confirmed by the country's parliament."His work until now has been to build coalitions, to win agreement among the Communist Party, the armed forces and the government in the implementation of projects," López-Levy said.Diaz-Canel cited Marrero's experience in negotiating with foreign investors as one of his prime qualifications, according to state media.Arturo López-Levy, a Cuba expert at Holy Names University in California, said Marrero Cruz had proven himself an agile builder of consensus among Cuba's most powerful forces.Castro and his brother Raúl held the presidential post along with Cuba's other highest positions, like Communist Party leader, until this year, when Raúl Castro stepped down as president and a new constitution divided the president's responsibilities between Castro's successor, Miguel Diaz-Canel, and the new post of prime minister.Marrero, 56, has been tourism minister for 16 years, presiding over a rise in visitors and a hotel construction boom that has made tourism one of the most important sectors of the Cuban economy.In recent years Marrero Cruz has worked closely with Gaesa, the military-linked conglomerate that dominates tourism and many of the island's other key sectors, including import/export and retail sales. He also served as a minister of education, a senator, and a representative in the country. Marrero's confirmation as the new Prime Minister of Cuba by the National Assembly is expected later on Saturday. "The head of government will be the administrative right hand of the president of the republic," state-run online news outlet Cubadebate said.Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has appointed the country's first prime minister in more than 40 years - the tourism minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz. This article lists the heads of government of Cuba from 1940 until the present day.. The seeds of capitalism are already planted in Cuba everywhere.”President Donald Trump’s administration has tightened the screws on the embargo. HAVANA, Cuba — Cuba has named a prime minister for the first time in over four decades during a parliamentary session on Saturday, further dividing political roles in a country that, not long ago, was ruled by one person.Cuba will have to make significant economic reforms to adjust to the current circumstances.Carmen Sesin is a reporter based in Miami.The new primer minister will be facing an island with economic stagnation and a population that is increasingly looking for a better standard of living.López-Levy says this is more of an attempt to separate functions within Cuba’s one-party system, rather than a division of power.
Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz embraces Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel during the closing session at the National Assembly of Popular Power in Havana, Cuba… Read: Cuba to name first prime minister in 40 years. The Prime Minister of Cuba (Spanish: Primer Ministro de Cuba ), known as the President of the Council of Ministers (Spanish: Presidente del Consejo de Ministros de Cuba ) between 1976 and 2019, is the head of the Council of Ministers of Cuba.