Until 2009, he was a Vice President of the Council of State of Cuba, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Cuba, and Executive Secretary of the Council of Ministers of Cuba.
Sampai 2009, ia menjadi Wakil Presiden Dewan Negara Kuba, anggota Politburo Partai Komunis Kuba, dan Sekretaris Eksekutif Dewan Menteri Kuba.