2019 Cuban constitutional referendum

While the structure of Cuban society and its political system had not fundamentally changed, the 2010s saw the Cuban thaw and more openness with the constitutional referendum, which was described as a relatively open process. Some observers noted that even though the political system remained largely the same, civil liberties had recently increased, even if not enough. The referendum recognized both private property and foreign direct investment, among other things, such as removing obstacles to same-sex marriage and banning discrimination based on gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, the introduction of habeas corpus and restoration of a presumption of innocence in the justice system which was last provided for in the 1940 Constitution of Cuba, and other political reforms, such as presidential term and age limits, as checks on government power.{{cite web|last1=Teresa García Castro|first1=Teresa|last2=Peña Barrios|first2=Raudiel|date=10 April 2019|url=https://www.wola.org/analysis/cuba-new-constitution-what-happens-next/|title=Cuba Has a New Constitution. What Happens Next?|publisher=Washington Office on Latin America|accessdate=16 July 2021|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716144154/https://www.wola.org/analysis/cuba-new-constitution-what-happens-next/|url-status=live}} One of the prospective drafts of the constitution omitted the aim of building a communist society and instead works towards the construction of socialism.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/22/cuba-ditches-aim-of-building-communism-from-draft-constitution|title=Cuba ditches aim of building communism from draft constitution|agency=Reuters|website=The Guardian|date=22 July 2018|accessdate=20 July 2021|archive-date=13 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913181115/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/22/cuba-ditches-aim-of-building-communism-from-draft-constitution|url-status=live}} However, following a series of community meetings across Cuba which debated the draft,{{Cite news |title=Cuba reinserts 'communism' in draft of new constitution |work=Reuters |url=https://news.yahoo.com/cuba-reinserts-communism-draft-constitution-225724265.html |access-date=2022-08-22 |archive-date=2022-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822165200/https://news.yahoo.com/cuba-reinserts-communism-draft-constitution-225724265.html |url-status=live }} it was read in the final draft before going to a vote.{{Cite web|title=Cuba's constitution of 2019|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cuba_2019.pdf?lang=en#page=53&zoom=100,624,781|url-status=live|website=constituteproject.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228032123/https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cuba_2019.pdf?lang=en |archive-date=2020-02-28 }}

{{main|Constitution of Cuba}}

Proposals in the new constitution include:[https://web.archive.org/web/20180714133510/https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/world/the_americas/cuba-to-reshape-government-with-new-constitution/2018/07/14/8661a97a-875a-11e8-9e06-4db52ac42e05_story.html Cuba to reshape government with new constitution] The Washington Post, 14 July 2018[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-44836358 Cuba sets out new constitutional reforms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020093340/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-44836358 |date=2019-10-20 }} BBC News, 15 July 2018[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-politics/communist-run-cuba-to-recognize-private-property-in-new-constitution-idUSKBN1K4108 Communist-run Cuba to recognize private property in new constitution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715052302/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-politics/communist-run-cuba-to-recognize-private-property-in-new-constitution-idUSKBN1K4108 |date=2018-07-15 }} Reuters, 15 July 2018{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-constitution-explainer/explainer-what-is-old-and-new-in-cubas-proposed-constitution-idUSKCN1QA273|title=Explainer: What is old and new in Cuba's proposed constitution|author=Marc Frank|work=Reuters|date=February 21, 2019|accessdate=February 24, 2019|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729110641/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-constitution-explainer/explainer-what-is-old-and-new-in-cubas-proposed-constitution-idUSKCN1QA273|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://havanatimes.org/?p=139909|title=Some Traps in Cuba’s New Constitution|publisher=The Havana Times|date=21 August 2018|author=Antonio Recio|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-date=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927182953/https://havanatimes.org/%3Fp%3D139909|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-constitution-idUSKCN1OL0OF|title=Cuban lawmakers approve new constitution which heads to referendum|date=23 December 2018|work=Reuters|accessdate=20 July 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118054337/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-constitution-idUSKCN1OL0OF|url-status=live}}

• The recognition of private property.
• The recognition of foreign direct investment.
• The restoration of the position of Prime Minister of Cuba.
• The transfer of head of Council of State to the President of the National Assembly.
• The position of mayor being added to that of president of a municipal assembly.
• The creation of a required ratification of presidential-appointed Provincial Governors and Deputy Governors by local municipal governments.
• The creation of new Provincial Councils made up of members chosen by municipalities to replace the current system of provincial assemblies modeled after the National Assembly of People's Power.
• The introduction of a mandatory maximum age limit of 60 years for any President of Cuba entering their first term.
• The creation of a two consecutive five-year term limit for the presidency.
• Extending the terms of municipal council delegates to five years.
• Banning discrimination based on gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
• The restoration of a presumption of innocence in the justice system, last provided for in the 1940 Constitution of Cuba.
• Introducing the right to legal counsel immediately upon arrest.
• Introducing the ability to sue the government for damages or negligence.
• Introducing the right to appear before a judge and report unlawful imprisonment through habeas corpus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-constitution-idUSKCN1RM1VC|title=Castro says Cuba will not abandon Venezuela despite U.S. 'blackmail'|first=Sarah|last=Marsh|date=April 10, 2019|via=www.reuters.com|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716043217/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-constitution-idUSKCN1RM1VC|url-status=live}}

The new Constitution came into force after being proclaimed by the National Assembly on 10 April 2019.{{cite news|title=Cuba proclaimed its new constitution|url=http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=40784&SEO=cuba-proclaimed-its-new-constitution|accessdate=20 July 2021|agency=Prensa Latina|language=es|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717181129/https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=40784&SEO=cuba-proclaimed-its-new-constitution|url-status=live}} Laws which were passed to enforce the Constitution's reforms to the country's judicial system must be enacted within 18 months.{{cite web|url=https://www.local10.com/news/2019/04/10/cuba-enacts-new-constitution/|title=Cuba enacts new constitution|first2=Andrea|last2= Torres|first1= Hatzel|last1=Vela|date=April 10, 2019|website=WPLG|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-date=July 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718055006/https://www.local10.com/news/2019/04/10/cuba-enacts-new-constitution/|url-status=live}} An electoral law detailing the restructuring of government must also be passed within six months. A Cuban President must then be elected by the National Assembly in the following three months and then appoint Provincial Governors and a Prime Minister.{{Cite web|url=https://oncubanews.com/en/cuba/new-constitution-proclaimed-and-cuba-will-have-a-prime-minister-this-year/|title=New Constitution proclaimed and Cuba will have a Prime Minister this year|date=April 10, 2019|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410233131/https://oncubanews.com/en/cuba/new-constitution-proclaimed-and-cuba-will-have-a-prime-minister-this-year/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Gámez Torres|first=Nora|date=10 April 2019|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article229072974.html|title=Castro warns Cubans of impending economic crisis, slams Trump for meddling in Venezuela|newspaper=Miami Herald|accessdate=20 July 2021|archive-date=15 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715210600/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article229072974.html|url-status=live}}

The new constitution also removes the requirement that marriage be "between one man and one woman". An earlier draft of the new constitution would have changed the language to "a union between two people" ... "with absolutely equal responsibilities". This language was removed due to backlash from the more conservative sectors of Cuban society,{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2018/12/19/678155969/cuba-scraps-words-establishing-same-sex-marriage-from-drafted-constitution|title=Cuba Scraps Words Establishing Same-Sex Marriage From Drafted Constitution|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26|archive-date=2019-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173856/https://www.npr.org/2018/12/19/678155969/cuba-scraps-words-establishing-same-sex-marriage-from-drafted-constitution|url-status=live}} with the new constitution not specifically recognizing same-sex marriage, but still removing the constitutional obstacles to its recognition by specifically avoiding a definition of marriage. Mariela Castro, a Cuban LGBT rights activist, daughter of Raúl Castro and director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education, has stated that this change is "not a setback" and that the issue would be addressed in the upcoming family code amendment. It was expected that same-sex marriage would be part of a new Cuban Family Code, which was due to be put to a new referendum within the next two years.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AsambleaCuba/status/1075158005073801217|title=En el Código de Familia deberá establecerse quiénes pueden ser sujetos del matrimonio, se realizará #ConsultaPopular y Referéndum, en un plazo de dos años a partir de una propuesta de disposición transitoria recogida en el propio proyecto. #ReformaConstitucional @DiazCanelB pic.twitter.com/D0c45Xvte8|last=Cuba|first=Asamblea Nacional|date=2018-12-18|website=@AsambleaCuba|language=es|access-date=2019-02-26|archive-date=2019-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527175041/https://twitter.com/AsambleaCuba/status/1075158005073801217|url-status=live}}[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/cuba-constitutional-referendum-190222174420643.html Cuba's constitutional referendum: What you should know] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918211021/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/cuba-constitutional-referendum-190222174420643.html |date=2020-09-18 }} Al Jazeera, 23 February 2019{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/latinamerica/top-stories/cuban-lawmakers-approve-new-constitution-which-heads-to-referendum/ar-BBRjMI0|title=Cuban lawmakers approve new constitution which heads to referendum|website=www.msn.com|access-date=2019-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227060127/https://www.msn.com/en-xl/latinamerica/top-stories/cuban-lawmakers-approve-new-constitution-which-heads-to-referendum/ar-BBRjMI0|archive-date=2019-02-27|url-status=dead}} The 2022 Cuban Family Code referendum resulted in a 2/3 vote in favor of a law legalizing same-sex marriages on the island.

The Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) denounced the violent break in of several headquarters of the organization on the island by the political police of the Cuban government.

{{blockquote|More than 200 Cuban military (assault troops) and police forces, with the presence of the high command of the Ministry of the Interior, stormed 8 UNPACU headquarters in the early hours of this morning [Monday night to Tuesday] with extreme violence. Without search warrants and simultaneously, using grinders, they broke the gates of the houses, which had been under siege for nights, and entered, beating all the people who inside.|Communiqué of the Patriotic Union of Cuba|col2=}}Among those arrested were the elderly, pregnant women and minors, according to José Daniel Ferrer, a conscientious objector and coordinator of UNPACU who was also arrested and beaten; he also denounced that both his five-month pregnant partner and his 78-year-old grandmother were attacked, that several belongings were stolen from their home and that the political police seized a list containing the names of 600 observers that UNPACU was to deploy to monitor the referendum day in order to denounce irregularities.{{cite news|title=Se extiende la campaña #YoVotoNo por el voto negativo en el referendo constitucional|url=https://www.cibercuba.com/noticias/2019-01-10-u1-e199291-s27061-campana-yovotono-extiende-voto-negativo-referendo|last=Gaviña|first=Susana|date=10 January 2019|access-date=13 February 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214174231/https://www.cibercuba.com/noticias/2019-01-10-u1-e199291-s27061-campana-yovotono-extiende-voto-negativo-referendo|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=El régimen cubano reprime con dureza a los opositores que hacen campaña contra su Constitución|url=https://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-regimen-cubano-reprime-promueven-no-referendum-constitucion-201902130137_noticia.html|last=Gaviña|first=Susana|date=13 February 2019|access-date=25 February 2019|archive-date=24 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224141342/https://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-regimen-cubano-reprime-promueven-no-referendum-constitucion-201902130137_noticia.html|url-status=live}}

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) considered the referendum "illegitimate" and assured that it only serves to "mask the dictatorship" before the international community. The Cuban executive accused the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, of formulating "slander and lies".

The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) denounced: "It has become evident that this Constitution (as the previous one), imposed by the Communist Party, does not represent or respect the plurality of Cuban society. Nor does the National Assembly of People's Power itself, the organ of unanimity, represent such plurality."{{cite news|title=Liberados dos activistas detenidos el día del referendo constitucional en Cuba|url=http://archivo.diariodecuba.com/derechos-humanos/1551281820_44885.html|access-date=2022-08-27|archive-date=2019-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217172446/http://archivo.diariodecuba.com/derechos-humanos/1551281820_44885.html|url-status=dead}}

File:2019 Cuban constitutional referendum - No vote by province.svg

{{Referendum results

|for=6816169

|against=706400

|invalid=127100

|blank=198674

|electorate=8705723

|source=[https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=39329&SEO=cuban-electoral-commission-informs-final-results-of-referendum Prensa Latina]

}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cuba_2002?lang=en Constitution of Cuba (1976; last amended in 2002)] Constitute
• [https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cuba_2018D?lang=en Constitution of Cuba (2018 draft)] Constitute
• [https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cuba_2019?lang=en New constitution of Cuba] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113023433/https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Cuba_2019?lang=en |date=2025-01-13 }} Constitute

{{Cuban elections}}

Constitution

Cuba

Category:Constitutional referendums

Constitutional

Category:Referendums in Cuba