José Ramón Machado Ventura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Ramón Machado Ventura
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| Second Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee | |
| In office 19 April 2011 – 19 April 2021 |
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| Leader | Raúl Castro Miguel Diaz-Canel |
| Preceded by | Raúl Castro |
| Succeeded by | Post Abolished |
| First Vice President of Cuba | |
| In office 24 February 2008 – 24 February 2013 |
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| President | Raúl Castro |
| Preceded by | Raúl Castro |
| Succeeded by | Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 October 1930 San Antonio de las Vueltas, Cuba |
| Political party | 26th of July Movement (1955–1962) Communist Party of Cuba (1965–present) |
| Profession | Physician |
José Ramón Machado Ventura (born October 26, 1930) is a Cuban revolutionary and politician. He served as the First Vice President of the Council of State of Cuba from 2008 to 2013. When Raúl Castro became President of Cuba in 2008, Machado took over his role as First Vice President. In 2011, he was also chosen as the Second Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba.
Life Story
Early Years and Revolution
José Ramón Machado was born in San Antonio de las Vueltas, Cuba. He went to school in Camajuaní and Remedios. He studied medicine and became a doctor in 1953 at the University of Havana.
Soon after a government takeover in 1952, Machado joined the revolutionary movement. He was an early member of the 26th of July Movement. This group worked to oppose the government at the time.
Later, he fought as a guerrilla in the Sierra Maestra mountains. He served under Ernesto "Che" Guevara and then Fidel Castro. In 1958, he became a captain. He was sent to Oriente to help open a second front. There, he led the rebels' medical services. He set up hospitals and clinics. He was then promoted to the top rank of major, called "comandante."
After the Revolution
After the revolutionaries won on January 1, 1959, Machado became the director of medical services in Havana. From 1960 to 1967, he served as the national Minister of Health. During this time, he helped build up Cuba's healthcare system.
In 1968, he moved to the province of Matanzas. He managed the economy and health sector there. His work was very successful, especially in farming and public transport. He also helped lower the number of babies who died.
In 1971, he became the first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party in the province of Havana. In December 1975, he was elected to the Politburo, a main decision-making group.
He is a member of the National Assembly of People's Power. This is Cuba's main legislative body. He represents the area of Guantánamo. In 2006, he began overseeing Cuba's international education programs.
José Ramón Machado is known for his strong belief in communist ideas. He is also seen as an important figure from the early days of the revolution.
On January 10, 2007, he represented Cuba at the start of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's term.
On February 24, 2008, the National Assembly chose Machado as First Vice-President of the Council of State. This happened at the same time Raúl Castro became President.
On April 19, 2021, Machado retired from the Politburo of the Communist Party of Cuba. The party's newspaper, Granma, said he would help guide the new generation of leaders. The position of Second Secretary was then ended.
See also
In Spanish: José Ramón Machado Ventura para niños
