Cuba Has New Domestic Commerce Minister

HAVANA TIMES, May 25 — Cuba’s Domestic Commerce Minister Jacinto Angulo Pardo was removed from his post without comment on the reason for his dismissal, announced the government on Tuesday.

The official note states that Mari Blanca Ortega, the first vice-minister would be taking over the job.

Angulo Pardo had held the post since 2009, and would be assigned other duties, adds the press note.

The change comes as Cuba embarks on a new set of rules for internal commerce and employment approved by the recent VI Congress of the Communist Party, that allow for greater self-employment and an expanded tax paying private sector, especially in micro operations.