Cuba gets first prime minister in over 40 years – TheNigerialawyer

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
the rule of the Communist Party on the island.

“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 served as tourism minister from 2004, late in
revolutionary hero 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.

The position of prime minister was last held by revolutionary
hero Fidel Castro in 1976.

But the post was abolished when Castro transitioned to the
presidency, taking over from Osvaldo Dorticos after the country’s
constitution was restructured.

AFP