Cuba taps Ramiro Valdes, new comptroller as vice presidents on supreme governing council
By APSunday, December 20, 2009
Cuba makes Valdes, Bejerano Council of State VPs
HAVANA — Cuba has promoted revolutionary commander Ramiro Valdes and comptroller Gladys Bejerano to vice presidents of its supreme governing body, the Council of State.
Valdes is a former leader of the rebels who brought Fidel Castro to power and an ex-interior minister. He is also communications minister and a Cabinet vice president.
This summer, Bejerano became head of a new office overseeing state spending.
Parliament approved the appointments Sunday. They replace revolutionary hero Juan Almeida, who died in September, and Carlos Lage, the de-facto economics czar who resigned in March during a leadership shake-up.
The Council of State features President Raul Castro, his first vice president, five other VPs, a secretary, and 23 others.
