Cuba names tourism minister to be first PM since 1976
Havana: Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday named Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz 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. Marrero's confirmation by the National Assembly was expected later 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 Ra l held the presidential post along with Cuba's other highest positions, like Communist Party leader, until this year, when Ra l 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.
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Rahul celebrates Holi with Cong workers at party office
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi celebrated Holi with party workers at the AICC's 24, Akbar Road office here on Wednesday, as he was smeared with colours by supporters and leaders.
Gandhi wished everyone a Holi filled with love and one that eliminates hatred.
Surrounded by workers, leaders and journalists at the party office, Gandhi applied colours on everyone and was smeared by 'gulal' in return.
Sharing pictures from the celebration on X, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi, "Heartiest greetings to all of you on the festival of colours and love, Holi. May the colours of Holi fill your lives with new hopes, new enthusiasm and countless happiness."
Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge greeted people on Holi.
"Holi is a festival that expresses the soul of our colorful, multicultural society. It celebrates the tradition of unity in diversity, mutual harmony, and brotherhood that has been the hallmark of our civilization for centuries," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.
"On this joyous occasion that bridges distances, I wish you all a very Happy Holi. May your life always be filled with the colors of happiness," Kharge said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also greeted people on Holi.
"Heartiest greetings for Holi, the grand festival of togetherness, filled with the diverse colors of joy, enthusiasm, happiness, sweetness, and brotherhood," she said in a post in Hindi on X.
"Holi is a grand festival of lovingly embracing your family, friends and everyone else. Embrace everyone and share happiness with everyone. Happy Holi to all the people of the country!" she said.
रंगों और मोहब्बत के पर्व होली की आप सभी को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 4, 2026
होली के रंग आप सभी के जीवन को नई आशाओं, नए उमंग और अनगिनत खुशियों से भर दे। pic.twitter.com/sp10UNSl7v
