Exclusive Restaurants in Havana Spark Debate Over โขEmerging Elite
Recent reports โฃandโ employee testimonies are fuelingโข a growingโ controversy surrounding a network of upscale restaurants in Havana owned by โCristina Lage Codorniรบ, daughter of former Cuban Vice โฃPresident Carlos โLageโค Dรกvila. The establishments – Sensacioones, Woow, โคand Nao habana, โoperating under the businessโ group Groupโ Tentacioones SRL – are accused of catering to a โคprivileged โขclientele with a strictโฃ demand โfor discretion.
According to accounts โคshared by restaurant โstaff and reported by journalist Mario J. Pentรณnโ on Facebook, high-ranking members of the Cuban politicalโค and military elite are regular patrons. A consistent protocol reportedly requiresโฃ surveillance cameras to be deactivated upon their arrival, effectively erasing any โvisual record of theirโ visits.
Specifically mentioned among these “untouchableโฃ clients” are the son of Rubรฉn Remigio โFerro, President of the Supremeโค People’s Court, and the grandsonโฃ of Raรบl Castro, known colloquially as “The Crab.”โ Sources claim the latter โalso requests the disabling of โฃsecurity cameras.
This alleged preferential treatment is occurring against a backdropโ of severe economic hardship for mostโ Cubans, who struggle with widespread blackouts, insufficient wages, and the inability to afford basic necessities. โThe restaurants, meanwhile, offer menus priced inโฃ US dollars and boast โขa “world-class culinary experience” – a stark contrast to the daily realities faced by the majority of the population.
An examination by Martรญ News revealed that Group Tentacioones SRL serves as the business entity behind these restaurants.โค While the group’sโฃ websiteโฃ describes the establishments as “the materialized dream of a family passionate โabout hospitality,”โฃ it dose not disclose ownership. โขHowever, Cristina Lage is visibly tagged in โขposts on the businesses’ social media accounts.
the report also details Lage Codorniรบ’s frequent travel to the United States and Europe, reportedly facilitated by a US visa, and highlights her extensive networkโ of contacts. Sources suggestโฃ these connections contributeโฃ to the smooth operation โขof her businesses within Cuba.
Despite requestsโข for comment,โฃ Lage Codorniรบ has โฃnot responded to inquiries โregarding the allegations. Official details regarding the ownership of the restaurants remains unavailable, a situation attributed to the lack of clarity withinโข the Cubanโ system.
The controversy โคis particularly sensitive given Carlos Lage’sโข dismissalโ from his position in 2009, following accusations from Raรบlโค Castro โคof succumbing to the “honeys of power.” The current situation, with his daughter operating exclusive businesses inโ Havana, has reignited debate about the emergence of a new privileged class benefitingโ from connections to power, while the majority of Cubans struggle toโค survive.