Marino Murillo Leaves His Ministry To Devote Himself To The Management Of Cuba’s Economic Crisis

Marino Murillo Leaves His Ministry To Devote Himself To The Management
Of Cuba's Economic Crisis / EFE, 14ymedio

EFE/14ymedio, Havana, 14 July 2016 – Cuba's Council of State, at the
request of president Raul Castro, has named Ricardo Cabrisas minister of
the economy, replacing Marino Murillo, who remains a vice president and
will chair a commission in charge of reforms to update the country's
economic model.

The change was announced Wednesday in an official note published in the
official media, where it was also reported that the Minister of Higher
Education, Rodolfo Alarcon, has been replaced by the department's vice
minister, Jose Saborido.

In the case of the Minister of Economy and Planning, the change reflects
the need for Marino Murillo – considered Cuba's "czar of reforms – to
concentrate his efforts in the related tasks of updating the Cuban
economic and social model," according to the official note.

Cabrisas, his replacement in the Ministry of Economy and also a vice
president, "has vast experience and training demonstrated in the
exercise of responsibilities" in the Executive "and in undertaking
important missions, including the recent process of successfully
managing the restructuring of Cuba's external debt," the statement added.

The State Council recognized "the work done by compañero Murillo in
fulfilling the duties of the office of minister" of Economy.

These changes occurred after Raul Castro's recognition on July 8 before
the National Assembly that the Cuban economy is experiencing "stress"
and "adverse circumstances" caused, among other factors, by the crisis
in Venezuela. The island's main ally, Venezuela has reduced oil
shipments to the island.

After rejecting speculation about the "imminent economic collapse" of
the island, President Raul Castro announced at the session a plan of
measures to confront the situation, which requires savings, reductions
in expenses and energy use restrictions.

In the Ministry of Higher Education the new head will be Jose Saborido,
who has been deputy minister for four years.

Saborido holds a PhD in Economics and until moving to the ministry held
positions in education as an instructor, professor, dean, vice
chancellor and provost.

In this case, the Council of State did not specify in its official note
the reasons for replacing outgoing minister Rodolfo Alarcon, but
recognized his "meritorious career. " Alarcon had served in the position
since 2012 and previously had served for two decades as vice minister.

Source: Marino Murillo Leaves His Ministry To Devote Himself To The
Management Of Cuba's Economic Crisis / EFE, 14ymedio – Translating Cuba
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http://translatingcuba.com/marino-murillo-leaves-his-ministry-to-devote-himself-to-the-management-of-cubas-economic-crisis-efe-14ymedio/