- Title: Cuba names prime minister in move to lighten presidential load
- Date: 21st December 2019
- Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (DECEMBER 21, 2019) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** GENERAL VIEW OF ASSEMBLY IN SESSION CASTRO AND LAWMAKERS STANDING IN APPLAUSE DIAZ-CANEL GREETING MARRERO CRUZ AMONGST LAWMAKERS LAWMAKERS DURING APPLAUSE LAWMAKERS GREETING MARRERO CRUZ
- Embargoed: 4th January 2020 20:44
- Keywords: Cuba Havana President Miguel Diaz-Canel Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz
- Location: HAVANA, CUBA
- City: HAVANA, CUBA
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA003BAX4JEV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday (December 21) named tourism minister Manuel Marrero Cruz as the country's first prime minister in decades, under a new constitution that seeks to decentralise former leader Fidel Castro's job.
Manuel Marrero Cruz, a 56-year-old architect whose nomination was ratified by the National Assembly, is a former official of the military-run Gaviota tourism corporation. The Gaviota's hotels have been sanctioned by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
As tourism minister for 15 years, Marrero presided over the industry as it grew to become Cuba's most important sector, with dozens of partnerships with foreign companies and ties to the growing private sector.
Unlike many other countries where prime ministers often play central, political roles, the post involves day-to-day supervision of the Council of Ministers (cabinet) and the implementation of policy.
Under the constitution passed earlier this year, the country's president (Diaz-Canel) maintains ultimate authority but no longer heads either the Council of State, presided over by the president of the National Assembly Esteban Lazo, or Council of Ministers.
(Production: Mario Andres, Paul Vieira) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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