Former Cuban Economy Minister Charged
Cuba’s top prosecutor has formally charged former Economy Minister Alejandro Gil and several unnamed individuals with a range of serious crimes including alleged espionage and numerous financial offenses. The office of Cuba’s attorney general announced on Friday that it had completed an extensive nearly two-year criminal investigation into Gil who served as minister of economy and planning from 2019 until his removal in February 2024.
According to the statement, Gil and others are accused of “espionage, acts detrimental to economic activity or contracting, embezzlement, bribery,” although the investigation did not specify which country or entities may have benefited from their actions. Additional charges include forgery of public documents, tax evasion, influence peddling, money laundering, violations related to classified documents and theft or damage of official records or objects.
No trial date has been set, but the charges carry severe penalties under Cuba’s penal code, ranging from 10 years in prison to the death penalty.
Gil, once a close ally of President Miguel Diaz-Canel, played a key role in major monetary reforms in Cuba in 2021. His initiatives aimed to unify the country’s dual currency system, increase wages, adjust subsidies, and implement new regulations for private employment and cooperatives. However, these reforms coincided with a sharp economic contraction, soaring inflation, a depreciating national currency, and increased difficulties for state-owned enterprises.
Following his removal from office, official statements described Gil’s departure as due to “grave errors,” but provided few details. Gil has not publicly responded to the charges and has not been seen or heard from since the investigation began. The case marks a significant development amid Cuba’s ongoing economic and political challenges.
