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The Council of State of Cuba approved the Decree-Law 116, published yesterday in the Official Gazette, by which the Higher Institute of International Relations "Raúl Roa García" will be renamed University of International Relations "Raúl Roa García", while retaining the acronym ISRI.
The decree, issued on March 19 and published in the Official Gazette No. 47 Ordinary of 2026, was signed by Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, and modifies Article 5 of Law 1307, dated July 29, 1976, which organizes the national network of higher education institutions in Cuba.
The change was proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), the agency to which the institution is attached.
The text of the decree justifies the measure by stating that MINREX proposed the change "due to the transformations in the Cuban Higher Education System, the academic growth since its establishment, its commitment to training highly qualified professionals, as well as the academic requirements of international practice."
In practical terms, the change elevates the academic status of the institution from "higher institute" to "university," without altering the homage to Raúl Roa García, whose name has been part of the center's title since 1981.
This rank elevation follows a trend already established by the regime. In 2021, the Decree-Law 29 elevated four military schools of the Revolutionary Armed Forces to university status, also amending Law 1307.
The history of the institution dates back to 1960, when Raúl Roa García —then Foreign Minister— established the first School of Foreign Service to train young people entering MINREX.
In 1971, the Institute of Foreign Service was established, and in 1976, as part of the reorganization of the higher education system, the Higher Institute of Foreign Service was created.
On June 11, 1981, that institution adopted the name Raúl Roa García Higher Institute of International Relations, a date recognized as the formal foundation of ISRI.
Raúl Roa García, known as the "Chancellor of Dignity," was born in Havana on April 18, 1907, and died on July 6, 1982.
He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba from June 11, 1959, until 1976, and is remembered for his defense of Cuban sovereignty in international forums such as the OAS and the UN during the Cold War.
The Decree-Law 116 came into effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette, and it orders the Minister of Justice to publish an updated version of Law 1307 within the 30 working days that follow.
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