A constitutional referendum was held in Cuba on 24 February 2019. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new constitution passed by the National Assembly of People's Power in July 2018. The reforms were approved, with 90.61% of valid votes cast in favour. The new constitution came into force on 10 April 2019 after it was proclaimed in the Cuban National Assembly and published in the Official Gazette of the Republic. Background While the structure of Cuban society and its political system had not fundamentally changed, the 2010s saw the Cuban thaw and more openness with the constitutional referendum, which was described as a relatively open process. Some observers noted that even though the political system remained largely the same, civil liberties had recently increased, even if not enough. The referendum recognized both private property and foreign direct investment, among other things, such as removing obstacles to same-sex marriage and banning discrimination based on gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, the introduction of habeas corpus and restoration of a presumption of innocence in the justice system which was last provided for in the 1940 Constitution of Cuba, and other political reforms, such as presidential term and age limits, as checks on government power. One of the prospective drafts of the constitution omitted the aim of building a communist society and instead works towards the construction of socialism. However, following a series of community meetings across Cuba which debated the draft, it was readded in the final draft before going to a vote. Constitutional changes Proposals in the new constitution include: The recognition of private property. The recognition of foreign direct investment. The restoration of the position of Prime Minister of Cuba. The transfer of head of Council of State to the President of the National Assembly. The position of mayor being added to that of president of a municipal assembly. The creation of a required ratification of presidential-appointed Provincial Governors and Deputy Governors by local municipal governments. The creation of new Provincial Councils made up of members chosen by municipalities to replace the current system of provincial assemblies modeled after the National Assembly of People's Power. The introduction of a mandatory maximum age limit of 60 years for any President of Cuba entering their first term. The creation of a two consecutive five-year term limit for the presidency. Extending the terms of municipal council delegates