The current first secretary is Miguel Díaz-Canel, elected by the 1st Session of the 8th Central Committee on 19 April 2021, and he concurrently serves as president of Cuba.

The first forerunner organisation to the present-day PCC was formed on 18 August 1925, and it elected the Spain-born José Miguel Pérez as its leader.

Due to repressive actions by the Cuban state of Gerardo Machado, Pérez was kicked out of the country thirteen days later, on 31 August.

Due to his health struggles, Miguel Valdés García served as acting general secretary for most of Peña Vilaboa's tenure.

Vivó is said to have misjudged the revolutionary situation, and he was forced to step down on the Comintern's orders at the 2nd Congress, held on 20–22 April 1934.