Cuba's first prime minister in more than four decades - long-serving tourism minister Manuel Marrero - took office on Saturday as the country resurrected a post last held by Fidel Castro.
The appointment of Mr Marrero, 56, as head of government is part of a process of decentralisation and generational change from the revolutionary old guard that is aimed at extending and protecting Communist Party rule.
"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, Mr Marrero received a handshake from former president Raul Castro, the leader of the Communist Party.
Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero has been named as the country’s first prime minister in decades, under a new constitution. Source: Reuters
Mr Marrero "is not coming to the job to transform, but rather to implement and manage. The president is the one who leads," said Cuba specialist Arturo Lopez-Levy of Holy Names University in California.
Mr Marrero served as tourism minister from 2004, late in revolutionary hero Fidel Castro's administration, continuing in the post under Fidel's brother Raul and the current president, Mr 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," Mr 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”.
The first secretary of Cuba Communist Party Raul Castro greets Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Source: EFE
'Wide-ranging experience'
That is precisely why Mr Marrero "who has all this wide-ranging experience in tourism and working with investors," is the pick, according to Mr Lopez-Levy.
"It underscores the priority that this area holds in the country's development strategy," he said.
The position of prime minister was last held by 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.
Fidel Castro in 1983. Castro was Cuba’s last prime minister. Source: AP
Castro was a unique prime minister "given the weight of his persona," Mr Lopez-Levy said.
"Ultimate power in the country was in Fidel's" hands during his time as prime minister from 1959-76, even though Dorticos was president and head of state.”
With wires...
