Carlos Lage
Carlos Lage, a Cuban politician and physician, served as Vice President of Cuba from 1993 to 2009.
Carlos Lage Davila
Political Figure
October 15, 1951
Libra
73
Havana, Cuba
Carlos Lage is a Cuban politician and physician who served in various high-ranking positions within the Cuban government. He is best known for his tenure as Vice President of the Council of State of Cuba and Executive Secretary of the Council of Ministers of Cuba until 2009. Lage was considered Cuba’s de facto prime minister during his time in office.
Prior to his political career, Lage trained as a pediatrician and specialized in internal medicine and endocrinology. He joined the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) in 1975 and held several positions within the party, including First Secretary of the PCC Municipal Committee in Havana.
Lage’s notable achievements include overseeing significant improvements in Cuba’s healthcare system, negotiating agreements with international organizations to enhance access to medical supplies and expertise, and leading Cuba’s response to public health crises such as the dengue fever outbreak and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
He received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to public health, including the Order of Carlos J. Finlay, the Dr. Lee Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health, and the Gold Medal of the World Health Organization.
Lage is married to Mariela Castro EspÃn, daughter of former Cuban President Raúl Castro, and has two children. He is known for his passion for classical music and literature.
One memorable anecdote from Lage’s time as Minister of Public Health is his instrumental role in establishing “Operation Miracle,” a national program that provides free eyeglasses to Cubans in need. This initiative has positively impacted the lives of millions of people by improving their vision and overall quality of life.
