Cuba votes in referendum on new constitution

A man walks out of a cafeteria in Havana, where posters of Cuban late leader Fidel Castro, Cuban former president Raul Castro and the government's campaign posters reading "#Ivoteyes" referring to the new Constitution, are seen, February 13, 2019. PHOITO | YAMIL LAGE | AFP

What you need to know:

  • More than eight million Cubans are registered to vote in a referendum the government has turned into a plebiscite on the "irrevocable" role of socialism in the island nation.
  • Cuba's vote comes after the latest attack on socialism by US President Donald Trump, who last week said socialist ideology is "dying."
  • The new constitution, replacing the 1976 version, recognises a limited role for the free market and private investment, but only under the control of the Communist Party.
  • Cuba's banned opposition, which normally calls for the abstention at elections or spoiling of ballot sheets, has this time campaigned for a no vote.

HAVANA,

Cubans began voting in a referendum on a new constitution Sunday with the backdrop of mounting pressure from the United States and continued support for the socialist regime of Venezuela.

"We Cubans are voting for our new constitution, we're voting for Latin America and the Caribbean," said President Miguel Diaz-Canel said when placing his vote.

"We're also voting for Venezuela, we're defending Venezuela because in Venezuela the continent's dignity is in play."

More than eight million Cubans are registered to vote in a referendum the government has turned into a plebiscite on the "irrevocable" role of socialism in the island nation.

Some 25,000 electoral colleges opened their doors at 7am on a calm day. Results are expected on Monday afternoon.

VENEZUELA

Mr Diaz-Canel hit out at the presidents of Colombia, Chile and Paraguay for joining Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido Saturday when he led an attempt to force humanitarian aid across the Colombian border into Venezuela.

"A group of presidents on the Colombian border, they look like clowns," said President Diaz-Canel.

Cuba has been trying to galvanize international support for its ally and against "United States military aggression."

Mr Maduro claims the humanitarian aid, mostly supplied by Washington, is a smokescreen for a US invasion.

"Today we're going to have a victory that is ours, that is Latin America's and Caribbean's and also a victory for Venezuela, an important support for Venezuela," said Mr Diaz-Canel.

TRUMP ATTACK

Cuba's vote comes after the latest attack on socialism by US President Donald Trump, who last week said socialist ideology is "dying."

But analyst Carlos Alzugaray told AFP that President Trump's words served only to boost those voting in favour of the new constitution, which reiterates the central role of socialism and communism in the country.

"Many people, seeing his quotes, will vote yes because they want to defend their independence against the US threat," said Mr Alzugaray.

The new constitution, replacing the 1976 version, recognises a limited role for the free market and private investment, but only under the control of the Communist Party.

It enshrines socialism as the country's only ideology, something that has been criticized by the Catholic church.

'NO' VOTE

Cuba's banned opposition, which normally calls for the abstention at elections or spoiling of ballot sheets, has this time campaigned for a 'no' vote.

"It is obvious that this goes beyond a no to a constitution, it's a no to a regime which aims to perpetuate itself in power," dissident Jose Daniel Ferrer told AFP.

The referendum contains only two options: yes or no to the new constitution.

"Two options, one which favors the regime and the other which represents the only opportunity the people have had in years to say no," added Ferrer.