Havana, Cuba – Cuban prosecutors have formally requested prison sentences for former Minister of Economy and Planning Alejandro Gil Fernández, accusing him of a sweeping array of crimes including espionage, embezzlement, bribery, and money laundering. The charges stem from an investigation launched in March 2024 following Gil’s dismissal from his post.
According to a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office, Gil is also accused of falsification of public documents, tax evasion, influence peddling, violation of rules protecting classified documents, and theft/damage of official property. The Prosecutor’s Office stated its intervention is “on behalf of the state” and in accordance with its constitutional mandate.
The case formally advanced to court with the presentation of proceedings and the request for sentencing, though details regarding specific evidence or potential penalties remain undisclosed.
Gil reportedly “recognized serious accusations” leading to his resignation from the Communist Party and the National Assembly. The government initiated the investigation amid a period of severe economic hardship in Cuba, marked by shortages of food, fuel, and essential services. In December 2023, Gil publicly acknowledged the failure of the “Ordering Task,” a set of economic reforms intended to stabilize the country, and reported that planned production levels for 2023 would not be met in several key food sectors-some even declining from 2022 levels.
