2019 Cuban constitutional referendum

2019 Cuban constitutional referendum
Miguel Teurbe Tolón · Public domain · source
Country	Cuba
Date	24 February 2019
Title	Do you ratify the new Constitution of the Republic?
Yes	6819880
No	706400
Invalid	325774
Total	7852054
Electorate	9008008
Yespct	90.61
Nopct	9.39

2019 Cuban constitutional referendum. The 2019 Cuban constitutional referendum was a national vote held on 24 February 2019 to ratify a new Constitution of Cuba, replacing the 1976 document. The process was initiated by the National Assembly of People's Power and overseen by the Council of State, with the final draft presented by the Communist Party of Cuba. The referendum resulted in overwhelming approval, with over 90% of valid votes cast in favor, marking a significant political and legal milestone for the Government of Cuba.

Background

The move to reform the constitution began under the administration of Raúl Castro, who succeeded Fidel Castro as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. This initiative was part of broader economic and social updates outlined during the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba and the subsequent Guidelines of the Economic and Social Policy of the Party and the Revolution. The existing 1976 Constitution of Cuba was seen as increasingly outdated, particularly regarding Cuba's economic model and international engagements. A constitutional commission was established by the National Assembly of People's Power, drawing members from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, legal scholars, and representatives from mass organizations like the Federation of Cuban Women and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.

Proposed changes

The new constitution introduced several substantive modifications while reaffirming the leading role of the Communist Party of Cuba. Key economic changes included recognizing private property and foreign direct investment, moving beyond the strictly planned economy model. It proposed reinstating the position of President of the Republic and creating a new role of Prime Minister, altering the structure of the Council of Ministers. Social provisions expanded rights, explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and strengthening protections for the environment. The draft also addressed territorial sovereignty, describing the U.S. embargo as a key obstacle and affirming the "irrevocable" nature of Cuba's socialist system.

Campaign

The official campaign, managed by the National Electoral Council, involved a nationwide consultation period where citizens could propose amendments at local meetings. State media, including Granma and Tele Rebelde, heavily promoted the "Yes" vote, featuring endorsements from figures like Miguel Díaz-Canel and artists such as Silvio Rodríguez. Opposition groups, including the Ladies in White and activists from Archivo Cubano, called for a "No" vote or boycott, arguing the changes were insufficient. International observers, including delegations from Venezuela and Nicaragua, were invited, while organizations like Human Rights Watch criticized the process. The Roman Catholic Church in Cuba and the Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue issued statements encouraging civic participation.

Results

Voter turnout was reported at 84.4% of the registered electorate, with 9,298,277 citizens casting ballots. The final count, announced by the National Electoral Council, showed 6,816,169 votes for ratification (90.61%) and 706,400 against (9.39%). There were 325,774 blank or nullified ballots. Approval was highest in provinces like Havana and Santiago de Cuba, with some of the most significant "No" votes recorded in municipalities such as Playa and Centro Habana. The results were certified by the National Assembly of People's Power, and the new constitution was formally promulgated in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba on 10 April 2019.

Aftermath

Following ratification, the National Assembly of People's Power began enacting enabling legislation, including a new Electoral Law and statutes governing private enterprise in Cuba. In October 2019, the Assembly elected Miguel Díaz-Canel as the first President of Cuba under the new framework, while Manuel Marrero Cruz was appointed as Prime Minister of Cuba. The constitutional changes also prompted debates on subsequent laws, such as the Family Code, which was later approved in a 2022 referendum. Economically, the recognition of private property led to reforms in sectors like tourism and agriculture, though challenges from the United States embargo against Cuba and the COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba impacted implementation. The process solidified the political trajectory set by the Communist Party of Cuba while introducing a more flexible legal structure for the economy of Cuba. Category:2019 referendums Category:Constitutional history of Cuba Category:2019 in Cuban law