Caribbean Latin America News
Top government leaders in Cuba
By
Feb 24, 2008 - 4:46:54 PM

Cuba's current governing Council of State, which is to be reshuffled Sunday when legislators replace Fidel Castro as president, fill four vacancies and likely substitute other members:

_President: Fidel Castro, 81.

_First vice president: Raul Castro, 76. Also defense minister, provisional president during brother's illness.

_Vice president: Juan Almeida Bosque, 80. 1950s revolutionary commander.

_Vice president: Gen. Abelardo Colome Ibarra, 68. Also interior minister.

_Vice president: Carlos Lage, 56. Also secretary of council of ministers, making him de facto prime minister.

_Vice president: Esteban Lazo Hernandez, 63. Longtime Communist Party leader.

_Vice President: Dr. Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, 76. 1950s revolutionary figure and Communist Party ideologue.

_Secretary: Dr. Jose M. Miyar Barrueco, 75. 1950s revolutionary leader, longtime aide to Fidel Castro.

_23 other members, including Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, Central Bank President Francisco Soberon and Communications Minister Ramiro Valdes.