Mr. Viera Linares joined the Cuban Revolution as a volunteer teacher in 1960. Soon after, he was appointed manager of a sugar mill and then called to serve at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic missions to Spain, Chile, Bolivia, and the Cuban Mission to the UN. In 1971, he was appointed Head of the Department of International Organizations and from 1976 to 1990 he acted as Deputy Minister and First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Viera Linares holds a Law degree from the University of Havana and worked as Legal Adviser in several State enterprises until his retirement.

Mr. Viera has done extensive research on Cuban Property Law, for which he received a grant from the McArthur Foundation. He has lectured about changes in the Cuban economy and social system in several American Universities, the Bildner Center of CUNY, and the Brooking Institution. He speaks regularly to American groups visiting Cuba under the "People to People" program.