Cuban prosecutors have officially charged former Economy Minister Alejandro Gil with espionage and several serious crimes, including bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion, and falsification of public documents, the Attorney General’s Office announced Friday evening.
Gil, 61, served as Minister of Economy and Planning from 2019 until his sudden dismissal in February 2024. Authorities later revealed that he was under investigation for “committing serious errors,” without providing further details at the time.
According to the new statement, prosecutors are holding Gil and several unnamed associates accountable for espionage and activities that allegedly harmed the nation’s economy. The charges include embezzlement, bribery, falsification of documents, influence peddling, tax evasion, violation of classified document protection laws, and theft of official materials.
While officials did not specify who might have benefited from the alleged espionage, they confirmed that prison sentences have been requested for all accused individuals. No trial date has been announced.
Gil’s arrest marks one of Cuba’s most high-profile political scandals in recent years, unfolding amid worsening economic hardship, inflation, and widespread shortages of essential goods.
Once seen as a trusted ally of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Gil played a key role in Cuba’s economic reform efforts — policies that ultimately failed to stabilise the economy or strengthen the Cuban peso.
Authorities have yet to reveal whether the espionage charges involve foreign intelligence agencies or international collaborators.
