Álvaro López Miera
Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) — in office since 2021-04-15
Corps General Álvaro López Miera has led Cuba's armed forces (MINFAR) since April 2021 — and is sanctioned by OFAC for human-rights abuses tied to the July 2021 protests.
Quick facts
- Role: Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR)
- Spanish title: Ministro de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FAR)
- In office since: 2021-04-15
- Born: 1943-12-03 — Havana, Cuba
- Nationality: Cuban
- Affiliations: Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR); Politburo of the PCC; Council of State; Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) — Corps General
- Sanctioned by OFAC: Yes — EO 13818 (Global Magnitsky)
Biography
Corps General Álvaro López Miera became Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (Ministro de las FAR / MINFAR) on 15 April 2021, succeeding the late General Leopoldo Cintra Frías. He had previously served as Chief of the General Staff of the FAR, the institution's senior operational role.
López Miera fought in the Angolan Civil War (Operación Carlota) and rose steadily through MINFAR command structures over four decades. He is a member of the PCC Politburo and of the Council of State. As Minister he oversees both the conventional armed forces and, indirectly, the GAESA business holding — Cuba's largest economic conglomerate.
On 22 July 2021, the U.S. Treasury designated López Miera and the Cuban National Special Brigade ('Boinas Negras') under Executive Order 13818 (Global Magnitsky) for serious human-rights abuses connected to the violent suppression of the 11 July 2021 protests. The designation remains active in 2026.
Career timeline
- : Deployed to Angola — Operación Carlota.
- : Becomes Vice Minister of FAR.
- : Appointed Chief of the General Staff of the FAR.
- : Appointed Minister of FAR (15 April), succeeding Cintra Frías.
- : Designated by OFAC under EO 13818 (Global Magnitsky), 22 July.