Global Journal of Human Social Science, F: Political Science, Volume 23 Issue 6

senior leadership team officially transferred power to the next generation - people more than 20 years younger than them (most were born after the 1959 revolution), typically the position of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba was transferred from 90-year-old leader Raul Castro to 61-year-old President Miguel Diaz-Canel. After the Congress, entering the second half of 2021, Cuba faced two signi cant challenges: the Covid- 19 epidemic broke out, causing many adverse effects in all aspects, and protests broke out against the government largest over 60 years. Regarding Covid-19, this dangerous disease entered Cuba in March 2020 and quickly spread. As of September 24, 2021, 832,286 Cubans have been infected (of whom 7,048 have died) with an increasing incidence (for example, in the second week of July 2021, from 5 to 11, there were an average of more than 3,000 new cases per day (Thoa, 2021) - a worrying number when compared to the total population of Cuba which is just over 11 million people). Cuba has prepared five types of epidemic vaccines, of which two have been successfully tested (Abdala and Soberana 2). The government at that time organized vaccination for about half of the population and vaccinated everyone by December 2021. Regarding the protests, stemming from the lack of food and medicine, ineffective epidemic prevention methods and some less democratic measures by the government, on July 11-13, tens of thousands of Cubans in more than 50 municipalities nationwide have taken to the streets to protest (The Economist, 2021). The government crackdown left one person dead and hundreds arrested. On July 17, the Cuban Communist Party also responded by organizing a massive protest in support of the government in the capital, Havana, with the participation of more than 100,000 people (Nicoll, 2021). In 2022, the protest movement will no longer recur, and the Covid pandemic has altogether declined, still Cuba must overcome the severe consequences left by this pandemic and deal with the strengthening of the US embargo. In just the first 14 months of US President Joe Biden's administration (January 2021-February 2022), losses due to the economic embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba amounted to 6.35 billion USD (equivalent to 15 million USD per day (Tuyen & Hai, 2022). On November 3, 2022, the 77th United Nations General Assembly passed a Resolution with a very high vote rate (185/193) calling for an end to the US economic embargo on Cuba. Since 2017, the homosexual movement in Cuba has increased, demanding the legalization of same-sex marriage. The regulations on marriage and family in the new 2019 Constitution create conditions for that issue. On July 22, 2022, the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional del Pode Popular - ANPP) voted to finalize the draft of the new Family Code, which includes regulations officially legalizing same-sex marriage. The draft was put to referendum on September 25; Obtaining a rate of 66.85% of supporters, on September 26, the President of Cuba signed the law, published it in the Official Gazette and from September 27, 2022, the new Family Code officially took effect. This result is a signi cant step forward in expanding and developing human rights in Cuba, making Cuba the first socialist country and the 8th country in Latin America, the 32nd country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. During October 27-29, 2022, Cuba successfully organized the 22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMWCP) in [the capital] Havana. The meeting brought together 142 delegates representing 73 communist and workers' parties of 57 countries across all continents, with the theme “Solidarity with Cuba and all struggling peoples. United, we will be stronger in the fight against imperialism, together with social movements and the masses, in the face of capitalism and capitalist policies, the threat of fascism and war; protect the peace, the environment, the rights of working people, solidarity and socialism”. On November 27, 2022, Cuba held elections for local people's council deputies. According to Cuba's National Electoral Council (CEN), the election was “a victory for the people” when it took place vibrantly, objectively, honestly with 5,728,220 voters (accounting for 68.56% number of people on the voter list), elected 12,422 delegates (with 44.1% female - this rate is higher than the 2017 election) who are responsible for directly managing issues, suggestions and complaints within the communities they represent. This is the first election held in Cuba since it restructured its electoral system and promulgated a new election law according to the 2019 Constitution. Local people's councils were officially established nationwide on December 17, 2022. During the two days of December 9-10, 2022, the 5th Conference of the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, term VIII, took place in [the capital] Havana. The conference discussed the political, economic, and social situation in Cuba and the pioneering role of party members when facing difficulties; at the same time, discuss the strategy of innovating, enhancing and perfecting the Cuban Communist Youth Union (Unión de Jóvenes Comunistas de Cuba - UJC). The conference also addressed some outstanding issues in Cuba today such as dealing with crime and speculation, promoting food production, the electrical energy situation and drug control. In 2023, from January, Cuba assumed the Chairmanship in 2023 of “The Group of 77 and China” - an alliance of 135 developing countries, designed to promote promote the collective economic interests of its members and create enhanced collective bargaining capacity at the United Nations. On March 26, 2023, Cuba held the election of the Xth National Assembly (2023-2028), and this is also the first National Assembly elected according to the new provisions of the Constitution 2019 and the Election Law © 2023 Global Journals Volume XXIII Issue VI Version I 3 Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2023 ( ) F Cuba - 30 Years of Innovation and Socialist Goals