Cuba's Interior Minister Resigns due to Health, Government Says
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Cuban Interior Minister Abelardo Colome, a career military man who helped bring the Interior Ministry closer to the armed forces in 1989, resigned due to failing health, Cuba said.
Colome, 76, commonly known by his nickname Furry, was also one of Cuba's vice presidents and part of the 14-member Politburo, the highest authority within the ruling Communist Party.
The Interior Ministry is in charge on internal security in Cuba, which has been the target of US-led propoganda attempting to destabilize the country.
First Deputy Interior Minister Carlos Fernandez was promoted to replace Colome, according to an official statement read on state television on Monday, Reuters reported.
Colome had been a one of Cuba's vice presidents on the Council of State. Several officials hold the title of vice president on either the Council of State or Council of Ministers, ranking just below President Raul Castro and First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
In 2013, Colome offered his resignation as vice president of the Council of State to allow for the promotion of younger leaders, the statement said. The statement did not mention his position on the all-important Politburo. Changes in that leadership body could be expected at a party congress in April.
In a letter to Castro, Colome said he was obliged to step down because of health.
"Dear Raul, of my 76 years, I have dedicated 60 of them to revolution. As long as I live, I will continue to be a soldier at its service and member of the Communist Party," he said in his resignation letter.
