Politics of Cuba

Overview

The constitution of Cuba defines the country as a socialist state, with the Communist party of Cuba acting as a “leading force."

Legislative Powers

The National Assembly of People’s Power is the chief legislative body in Cuba. Among the responsibilities of the assembly is the election of a Council of State.

Executive Powers

The Council of State and the Council of Ministers exercise all executive power in the country.  The Council of State performs the duties of the National Assembly when the latter is not in session.  The head of the Council of State also selects the members of the Council of Ministers.  Presently, Raul Castro serves as President of the country and President of both the Council of State as well as Council of Ministers.

Political Parties

This medical tourism destination has been described as the only non-electoral democracy in the Americas.  The constitution recognizes only the Communist party as a legal political party.  A number of political parties, however, remain active in the country, functioning in a clandestine manner.  These include the Democratic Solidarity Party, the Cuban Socialist Democratic Current, and the Christian Democratic Party of Cuba.

Theoretically, no party is allowed to nominate candidates for any election, and this includes the Communist party.  That job is entrusted to the local population which nominates candidates at local meetings in town.  The final decision on election results rests solely with the Communist party.  Any citizen who has lived for two years or more on the island, and is above 16 years of age, is given the right to vote.

Committees for the Defense of the Revolution

This medical tourism center’s unique political system can be seen in its network of committees that are spread across the country.  In theory, these committees have been set up to implement government campaigns, like those relating to health and education.  In reality, however, officials monitor the personal and professional lives of people in the neighborhood assigned to them.  Each person in the neighborhood has his own individual file maintained, and these can include even personal household details.  

This medical tourism destination has long been criticized for the undemocratic nature of its government.  Cuba however, rejects any foreign attempts to interfere with its political system as intrusion in its internal matters.

 

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