The office of prime minister was first instituted in 1940 in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Cuba as amended in that year.

Between 1940 and 1959, Cuba saw fifteen changes of prime minister; Félix Lancís Sánchez exercised the role twice (1944–1945 and 1950–1951) while Fulgencio Batista held the position concurrently with that of president of Cuba for one month (April 1952) following a military coup.

Fidel Castro became prime minister in 1959, replacing José Miró Cardona.

Under it, the government was again re-organized, and the separate posts of president and prime minister were restored.

[2] Manuel Marrero was named prime minister for a 5-year term by President Miguel Díaz-Canel on 21 December 2019, under the new constitutional provisions, and was approved unanimously by the National Assembly to serve the same day.