group commissioned by the National Assembly of People's Power. However, details of what was amended would not be made public until it was approved by the National Assembly. On 18 December 2018, it was revealed that one of the changes to the new constitution which would have paved the way for same sex marriage was dropped. On 20 December 2018, another change to the new Cuban Constitution was dropped and its language once again reinserts direction to building a communist society. On 21 December 2018, the Cuba National Assembly approved the amended constitution, completing the final step for a referendum. On 24 February 2019, the new constitution was approved by 90.15% of voters, with a turnout of 84%. On 7 March, it was announced that the National Assembly would meet 10 April 2019 to determine the timeframe of when the new constitution would go into effect. On 28 March, it was announced the Council of State had held a meeting on 25 March and decided that the new constitution would be proclaimed by the National Assembly on 10 April. Upon being proclaimed, the new constitution would be adopted. The new constitution was proclaimed as scheduled on 10 April 2019. After being proclaimed, the Constitution of Cuba was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, ensuring its entry into force. It was also announced that new laws enforcing the constitutional reform of the judicial system must be enacted within 18 months. This includes, among other things, the enactment of presumption of innocence in criminal cases and introduction of habeas corpus. An electoral law which would enforce the change in the structure of government in Cuba also must be enacted within six months. Within the following three months, the National Assembly would elect a president of the country, who must then appoint provincial governors and a prime minister, a new post separating the role of head of state from the role of head of government. See also Constitutional economics Constitutionalism Constitutional law Cuban law References External links Constitutions of Cuba, original Spanish language text, Political Database of the Americas Constitución de la Republica de Cuba, original Spanish language text of 2002, the Portal Cuba Republic of Cuba, 1940 Constitution, English translation The Rule of Law and Cuba, includes links to the Cuban Penal Code and Cuban Constitution in Spanish and some English translations, Cuba Center for the Advancement of Human Rights