Career
Foreign almost a decade until then he had been in charge (Coordinador Nacional) of the CDRs (Committees for the Defence of the Revolution). Prior to this, he had been second and then first secretary of the Communist Youth Union (UJC) from the 1980s until 1995, replacing Roberto Robaina (as first secretary ?) in 1993. He is regarded as close to Raúl Castro who supported him against Robaina when the latter was the first secretary of the UJC, Communist Youth Union.
He was in Angola from 1989 until 1990.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he was in charge of the "José Martí" Pioneers Organization (Organización de Pioneros "José Martí"). He is longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award.