The revolutionary cabinet receives legislative authority

A huge Havana rally defended revolutionary trials of officials accused of torture and murder under Batista, amid international criticism.

The mass gathering asserted popular support for the new government while debating revolutionary justice and the crimes of the dictatorship.

On his first foreign visit after victory, Castro thanked Venezuelans for solidarity with the Cuban struggle.

Guevara described the armed movement’s commitments to agrarian reform, sovereignty and transformation beyond a change of rulers.

The revolutionary government adopted a Fundamental Law based partly on the 1940 Constitution while concentrating legislative authority in the Council of Ministers.

Disagreement over authority within the new government led the provisional prime minister to resign.

Castro formally became head of government, bringing political office into line with his leadership of the victorious Rebel Army.

The revolutionary government ordered lower telephone charges, confronting a major foreign-owned utility over the cost of public services.

The government took control of the foreign-owned utility and lowered rates, presenting public services as a social right.

A law substantially lowered many rents, one of the government’s early measures to redistribute income toward tenants.