acco as Cuba's primary products (State Dept. 2). These resources are still two of this country's financial bases today. Cuba was also the last major Spanish colony to gain independence, following a 50-year struggle begun in 1850 (State Dept. 2). It was on May 20, 1902, that the United States granted Cuba its independence, but still retained the right to intervene in political affairs in order to preserve Cuban independence and stability under the Platt Amendment (State Dept.2). Finally in 1961, following the reigns of key military figures, Castro declared Cuba a socialist state and consolidated his power by imprisoning or executing opponents. Since this time the Communist Party has been recognized as Cuba's only legal political party (Stable 81). This leads us to look at the governmental aspect to Cuba's structure.
             Cuba is a totalitarian state controlled solely by Castro, who is Chief of State, Head of Government, First Secretary of the Communist Party (PCC), and commander in chief of the armed forces (State Dept. 3). Castro exercises control over all aspects of Cuban life through the Communist Party and its affiliated mass organizations, the government bureaucracy, and the state security apparatus (Jackson 12). Executive and administrative power is vested in the Council of State and the subordinate Council of Ministers, over which Fidel Castro presides, supported by six vice presidents. Legislative authority rests with the National Assembly of People's Power, which only meets annually for about five days and is state-controlled (State Dept. 3). Beyond this everything is run with power and influence stemming from the Communist Party. The party's "Politburo" and Central Committee together include most of the country's military and civilian leaders (State Dept. 3). Thus the party mon!
             opolizes all government positions, including judicial offices. It is also in this Cuban govern...