The Council of Ministers is the highest ranking executive and administrative body and constitutes the government of the Republic.

The number, denomination and functions of the ministries and central agencies making up the Council of Ministers are determined by law.

The Council of Ministers is composed of the head of state and government, as its president, the first vice president, the vice presidents, the ministers, the secretary and the other members that the law determines.

The president, first vice president, vice presidents and other members of the Council of Ministers, as determined by the president, make up the Executive Committee.

In periods between the meetings of the Council of Ministers, the Executive Committee can decide on matters under the jurisdiction of the Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers is invested with the power to:
a) organize and conduct the political, economic, cultural, scientific, social and defense activities outlined by the National Assembly of People's Power;
b) propose the draft general plans for the socioeconomic development of the state and, after these are approved by the National Assembly of People's Power, organize, conduct and supervise their implementation;
c) conduct the foreign policy of the Republic and relations with other governments;
d) approve international treaties and submit them to ratification by the Council of State;
e) direct and control foreign trade;
f) draw up the draft for the state budget and, once it is approved by the National Assembly of People's Power, to see to its implementation;
g) adopt measures aimed at strengthening the monetary and credit system;
h) draw up bills and submit them to the consideration of the National Assembly of people's Power or the Council of State, accordingly;
i) see to national defense, the maintenance of order and security at home, the protection of citizens' rights and the protection of lives and property in the event of natural disasters;
j) conduct the administration of the state and unify, coordinate and supervise the activities of the agencies of the central administration and local administrations;
k) implement the laws and resolutions of the National Assembly of People's Power and the decree-laws and provisions issued by the Council of State and, if necessary, dictate the corresponding regulations;
l) issue decrees and provisions on the basis of and pursuant to the existing laws and supervise their implementation;
m) revoke the decisions taken by those administrations subordinated to the Provincial or Municipal Assemblies of People's Power, adopted according to the powers delegated by the central state administration agencies, when these are contrary to the instructions issued from a higher level and whose fulfillment is compulsory;
n) propose to the Provincial and Municipal Assemblies of People's Power the revocation of those provisions adopted during their specific activities by the provincial and municipal administrations subordinated to them, when these are contrary to the instructions approved by the central state administration agencies, in the exercise of their functions;
o) revoke those provisions issued by heads of central state administration agencies when these are contrary to the instructions issued from a higher level and whose fulfillment is compulsory;
p) propose to the National Assembly of People's Power or to the Council of State the suspension of those resolutions and provisions issued by the local assemblies of People's Power which infringe existing laws and other provisions or are detrimental to the interests of other communities or the general interests of the nation;
q) name the commissions it deems necessary to facilitate the fulfillment of the tasks assigned to it;
r) appoint and remove officials in keeping with the powers it is invested with by the law;
s) assume any duty assigned to it by the National Assembly of People's Power or the Council of State.

The law regulates the organization and functioning of the Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers is accountable to and periodically renders account of its activities to the National Assembly of People's Power.