In December 2011, with his election to the Gibraltar Parliament, Cortes resigned from all his other public duties, and was appointed Minister of Health and Environment by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
En decembro de 2011, coa súa elección para o Parlamento de Xibraltar, renunciou a todas as súas outras funcións públicas, sendo nomeado ministro da Sanidade e Medio ambiente polo ministro xefe, Fabian Picardo.