CUBA · GOVERNMENT
Key Facts
- Power Index Cuba ranks 14th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 22.5 points (October 2026 edition).
- What is happening Cuba published Law 186 on 2 November, fixing 20 ministries plus the central bank from 9 November.
- Why it matters It replaces rules from 1983 and 1994 and puts farming and food under one ministry.
- The numbers Ministers get up to one year for the mergers and 30 days to submit timetables.
- Who is who Cuba’s National Assembly passed it, President Miguel Díaz-Canel signed it, and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero carries it out.
- What to watch Ministers must give Marrero work timetables by 9 December; appointments will show how deep the merger goes.
- What it means for you Foreign investment policy now sits with one ministry, and the law changes no US sanctions on Cuba.
Cuba has published a law that fixes its central government at 20 ministries plus the central bank. It takes effect on Monday, 9 November, and gives ministers up to a year to merge their bodies.
Law 186, published in Cuba’s Official Gazette on Monday, 2 November, sets 20 ministries plus the Central Bank of Cuba. It takes effect seven days later, on Monday, 9 November.
The National Assembly, Cuba’s parliament, approved the law on 30 July. For US readers it shows how the government 90 miles (145 km) from Florida is reorganising itself.
What Law 186 Does
The law names the 20 ministries and makes the Central Bank of Cuba the only other named body of the central administration. Any other agency needs its own law or decree-law to qualify.
It repeals Decree-Law 67 of 1983 and Decree-Law 147 of 1994, which set up the old structure. A body that absorbs another becomes its legal successor, including under international treaties.
It also amends Law 134, so the Council of Ministers, Cuba’s cabinet, includes the central bank president. A deputy prime minister may also serve as a minister or as central bank president.
What the Ministries Cover
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food covers farming, forestry, fishing, the food industry, sugar and beverages. Economy and Finance takes economic planning and public finances.
Commerce and Foreign Investment takes trade policy, foreign investment and international cooperation. Industries and Construction joins industries from electronics to steel and pharmaceuticals with building work.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation adds science, standards, archives and access to public information. Environment, Habitat and Water Resources covers climate, land-use planning, the property register and housing.
Sports and Recreation and Information and Social Communication also have ministry rank in the law. The armed forces and interior ministries follow it except for their armed institutions.
Deadlines for the Changes
Ministers and the central bank president have up to one year from 9 November to finish the moves. They must transfer staff, equipment and funds to the bodies that take over.
Within 30 calendar days of that date, each minister must submit a work timetable for the signature of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero. The Council of Ministers approves the timetable that governs the moves.
Until another body takes the job, the Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Investment also regulates consumer protection. The Justice Minister must publish an updated Law 134 within 30 working days.
What It Means for US Readers
The law reorganises Cuba’s own government and changes no US sanctions. Foreign investment policy now sits with one Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Investment.
Related Rio Times coverage includes Who Runs Cuba in 2026 and Who Runs Cuba’s Economy. More is on the Cuba hub, the Cuba-US tensions page and the Cuba politics guide.
What Is Not Known
The gazette names no minister and does not say who keeps a job. It sets no wage changes, no job-cut numbers and no date for each merger.
The earlier count of 27 central state bodies comes from Cuban media, not from the gazette. The law does not list which former bodies are absorbed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ministries does Cuba have under Law 186?
Twenty, plus the Central Bank of Cuba, which is also a central state body. The law takes effect on 9 November.
When does Cuba’s new ministry structure take effect?
Law 186 enters into force seven days after its publication on 2 November, so on 9 November. Ministers then have up to one year to finish the changes.
Does the law cut jobs or change wages?
The text sets no job-cut numbers and no wage changes. It tells ministers to transfer staff and funds to the bodies that take over.
Does Law 186 change US sanctions on Cuba?
No, it only reorganises Cuba’s own government. US sanctions are set in Washington.
Sources: Gaceta Oficial de la República de Cuba, Ordinary Edition No. 90, 2 November 2026, Law 186 (GOC-2026-630-O90), PDF copy of the gazette; The Rio Times, Who Runs Cuba in 2026 (accessed 3 November 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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