Council of State

Commerce minister replaced

May 25, 2011

Cuba’s Council of State replaced Commerce Minister Jacinto Angulo, who’s held the post since 2009, with Commerce Vice-Minister Ortega Barredo. [EFE via ABC.es]

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Tropical stratocracy

April 20, 2011

Random House Dictionary (2011) defines stratocracy as government by the military. Key military officers control the state security apparatus that vigilantly guards over the Cuban regime. The government’s economic lifeline pulses through the administration of income generating businesses under the control of a military officers. Cuba’s armed forces, through its active and retired military officers, are well [...]

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New economy and planning minister

March 25, 2011

The Cuban Council of State has named Adel Izquierdo as the new Economy and Planning Minister, replacing Marino Murillo. Izquierdo (65) is an engineer and since 2009 has been EP vice-minister. He served as the chief Economy and Planning Direction of the Cuban Defense Ministry (Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias-MINFAR). Murillo will supervise measures associated in [...]

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Putin generation of military elites

September 30, 2010

Columnist Miguel Cossio discusses in El Nuevo Herald Raúl Castro’s firm steps in consolidating the military elite in power. The recent naming of a colonel to head CIMEX, Cuba’s largest commercial corporation, confirms the ascension of what Cossio calls the Putin generation in Cuba that is not just merely surviving but perpetuating the lineage: This [...]

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Basic industry minister sacked

September 19, 2010

Army General Raúl Castro (through the Council of State) has sacked Yadira García Vera (Basic Industry Minister) because of “deficiencies” in her work and “direction” of the organization. Tomás Benítez Hernández, Basic Industry Vice-Minister, is replacing her.  [Prensa Latina]

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A call for regional integration

September 18, 2010

Cuba’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, proposed forming a community of Latin American and Caribbean states for regional integration during a CARICOM meeting in Havana.  Army General Raul Castro and José Ramón Machado Ventura, First Vice-President—Council of State and Ministers, presided over the meetings closure. [La Jornada]

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