Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

The Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba, also known as Minrex or the Cancillería de Cuba, is the government body responsible for designing and implementing the country's foreign policy. It manages Cuba's network of diplomatic missions abroad, which includes embassies, consulates, permanent representations to international organizations and special delegations. Through these missions the ministry negotiates treaties, trade agreements, technical cooperation accords and other bilateral or multilateral arrangements with foreign governments and regional blocs. It also provides consular services to Cuban citizens residing or traveling overseas, such as passport renewal, civil registration and assistance in emergencies. In addition, the ministry issues visas, entry permits and other documentation required by foreign visitors who wish to travel to Cuba for tourism, business or study. The ministry promotes Cuba's cultural, scientific and educational interests abroad by organizing exhibitions, academic exchanges and participation in international events. It monitors global political and economic developments, analysing their potential impact on Cuban interests and advising other state bodies on appropriate responses. Public diplomacy and communication, including the management of official websites and social‑media channels, fall under its remit to convey the government's positions to international audiences.

As a ministerial level entity, Minrex operates under the authority of the Council of Ministers and the President of the Republic, placing it within the central executive structure of the Cuban state. The ministry's staff consists primarily of career diplomats who enter the service through competitive examinations and receive specialized training in international law, diplomatic protocol and negotiation techniques. This professional corps gives Minrex a distinct civilian character compared to military or security institutions, emphasizing dialogue and peaceful engagement as primary tools of foreign relations. Cuba's foreign policy, as articulated by the ministry, is guided by principles of sovereignty, non‑intervention, solidarity and peaceful coexistence, which shape its participation in forums such as the United Nations, the Non‑Aligned Movement and the Association of Caribbean States. The ministry also coordinates Cuba's positions in regional integration initiatives, including ALBA‑TCP and CARICOM, seeking to advance collective development goals while respecting national autonomy. Although the prompt does not provide explicit figures for personnel strength or annual budget, the ministry's operational footprint is evident in its continuous diplomatic presence in more than one hundred countries. The July 2025 cyber incident that compromised the ministry's official YouTube channel highlighted the vulnerability of its digital assets to unauthorized access and content manipulation. In response, Minrex has undertaken technical measures to regain control, strengthen security protocols and prevent recurrence, reflecting its broader commitment to defending Cuba's sovereign digital environment.