Havana, Cuba – The political landscape of Cuba is characterized by a single-party system, with the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) standing as the sole legally recognized political organization. This was recently highlighted in a social media post by user "Hutch," who stated, > "Here is a comprehensive list of all legally allowed political parties in Cuba: -Communist Party of Cuba." This assertion aligns with the nation's constitutional framework and historical political developments.
The Communist Party of Cuba holds a constitutionally enshrined role as the "superior driving force of the society and the state." This status means that the PCC guides all governmental entities from national to local levels, influencing policy and governance across the island nation. The 2019 Cuban Constitution explicitly reinforces this one-party structure, solidifying the PCC's singular legal standing.
Cuba transitioned to a one-party state following the 1959 revolution. In 1965, revolutionary organizations, including the 26th of July Movement, Popular Socialist Party, and 13th of March Revolutionary Directorate, merged to officially form the Communist Party of Cuba. Subsequently, all other political parties were dissolved or banned, establishing the current political order.
The electoral process in Cuba operates without formal party involvement in candidate selection, yet elected assemblies predominantly comprise members of the dominant party or non-affiliated individuals. International observers, including organizations like Freedom House and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, often characterize Cuban elections as neither free nor democratic. Political dissent is considered a punishable offense, with reports of systematic harassment and detention of dissidents.