Legal System of Cuba
Cuba is located in Central America N Caribbean. It is geographically situated in caribbean, island between the caribbean sea and the north atlantic ocean, 150 km south of key west, florida. The country achieved independence on 20 may 1902 (from us administration); 10 december 1898 (from spain); not acknowledged by the cuban government as days of independence. The capital is Havana.
Government Overview
Government Type: communist state Chief of State: President Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 19 April 2018) Head of Government: Prime Minister Manuel MARRERO Cruz (since 21 December 2019) Cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president and appointed by the National Assembly Administrative Divisions: 15 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Artemisa, Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana (Havana), Las Tunas, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Pinar del Río, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara National Holiday: Triumph of the Revolution (Liberation Day), 1 January (1959) Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Cuba is described as civil law system based on Spanish civil code International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest drafted 14 July 2018, approved by the National Assembly 22 December 2018, approved by referendum 24 February 2019 Amendment Process: proposed by the National Assembly of People’s Power; passage requires approval of at least two-thirds majority of the National Assembly membership; amendments to constitutional articles on the authorities of the National Assembly, Council of State, or any rights and duties in the constitution also require approval in a referendum; constitutional articles on the Cuban political, social, and economic system cannot be amended
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): People’s Supreme Court (consists of court president, vice president, 41 professional justices, and NA lay judges); organization includes the State Council, criminal, civil, administrative, labor, crimes against the state, and military courts) Judge Selection: professional judges elected by the National Assembly are not subject to a specific term; lay judges nominated by workplace collectives and neighborhood associations and elected by municipal or provincial assemblies; lay judges appointed for 5-year terms and serve up to 30 days per year Subordinate Courts: People’s Provincial Courts; People’s Regional Courts; People’s Courts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note: the National Candidature Commission submits a slate of approved candidates; to be elected, candidates must receive more than 50% of valid votes, otherwise the seat remains vacant or the Council of State can declare another election
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: yes Citizenship by Descent: yes Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Historical Background
The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the arrival of Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492, as the country was developed as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement, and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Cuba based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.