Ricardo Cabrisas Ruíz, a prominent figure in the Cuban government and vice prime minister, died on Tuesday at the age of 88. This was confirmed by Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Cuban leader, through a message on his official X account (formerly Twitter). "A deeply saddening loss for Cuba with the passing of our dear comrade Ricardo Cabrisas Ruíz. He was a model individual who devoted his entire life to the Revolution. Our heartfelt condolences and a warm embrace go out to his family and friends during this challenging time," expressed the Cuban president.
Born in Havana on January 21, 1937, Cabrisas had been serving as vice prime minister since 2019. His career spanned decades of significant roles within the state and diplomatic framework. Cabrisas served as the Minister of Foreign Trade from 1980 to 2000, Vice President of the Council of Ministers from 2008 to 2019, and Minister of Economy and Planning between 2016 and 2018.
He was replaced as Minister of Foreign Trade in 2024, but earlier that year, he was involved in discussions concerning the refinancing of Cuba's debt with the Paris Club. Throughout his career, Cabrisas led intergovernmental commissions for economic and financial relations with several of Havana's allied nations, establishing himself as a significant international negotiator for the regime.
Cabrisas was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and served as a deputy in the National Assembly of People's Power. He also participated in official organizations such as the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) and the Central Workers' Union of Cuba (CTC). Despite his advanced age and a relatively low media profile in recent years, he remained active in political affairs and high-level meetings until his death.
The Cuban government has not disclosed the cause of death or whether there will be any official funeral ceremonies held in Havana.
Understanding the Impact of Ricardo Cabrisas's Death
What roles did Ricardo Cabrisas hold during his career?
Ricardo Cabrisas held several key positions, including Minister of Foreign Trade, Vice President of the Council of Ministers, and Minister of Economy and Planning. He was also vice prime minister from 2019 until his passing.
How did Ricardo Cabrisas contribute to Cuba's international relations?
Cabrisas was instrumental in leading intergovernmental commissions for economic and financial relations with allied countries, playing a crucial role as an international negotiator for the Cuban regime.
Did the Cuban government announce any official ceremonies for Ricardo Cabrisas?
As of now, the Cuban government has not released any information regarding official funeral ceremonies for Ricardo Cabrisas.