Cuba names its first prime minister since 1976

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has named his tourism minister as the country's first prime minister since 1976, when Fidel Castro held the title.

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz (R) greets Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel (L-back to camera). Source: AFP

Cuban Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz has been named by President Miguel Diaz-Canel as the country's first prime minister since 1976.

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.

Diaz-Canel cited Marrero's experience in negotiating with foreign investors as one of his prime qualifications, according to state media.

Raul Castro, First Secretary of the Communist Party, talks with the members of the assembly while Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, right, looks on. Source: AP

Marrero's confirmation by the National Assembly was expected later on Saturday.

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.

Castro and his brother Raul held the presidential post along with Cuba's other highest positions, like Communist Party leader, until this year.

Raul 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.

The new constitution envisions the prime minister as responsible for the daily operations of government as head of the Council of Ministers.

The prime minister has a five-year term and is nominated by Diaz-Canel and approved by the National Assembly, which unanimously approves every proposal put before it, with one known exception in recent history.