On This Day - What happened 2 December 1976 AD

He served as First Vice President of the Cuban Council of State of the National Assembly of People's Power and Council of Ministers when these were established in 1976.

Cuba's government underwent a restructuring along Soviet lines, claiming that this would further democratize and decentralize power away from Castro. Officially announcing Cuba's identity as a socialist state, the First National Congress of the Cuban Communist Party was held, and a new constitution adopted that abolished the position of President and Prime Minister. Castro remained the dominant figure in governance, taking the presidency of the newly created Council of State and Council of Ministers, making him both head of state and head of government.