The Cuban-American entrepreneur Frank Cuspinera Medina, founder of the well-known store Diplomarket, often referred to as the "Cuban Costco," has been on a hunger strike for two weeks in solitary confinement at Combinado del Este prison in Havana. This protest, which began on June 1, has alarmed his family and caused significant concern within Cuba's private sector.
"He's in bad shape," a source close to Cuspinera's circle told the news outlet 14yMedio, requesting anonymity due to fear of retaliation. The 48-year-old businessman suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, conditions that exacerbate his health risks as he continues to refuse food. Initially, Cuspinera also refused liquids but has recently taken "a bit of water," while remaining resolute in his decision to abstain from eating until justice is served in his case.
Since his arrest in 2024, Cuspinera has been under investigation for alleged crimes including tax evasion, currency trafficking, and money laundering. His defenders, however, claim the proceedings are arbitrary and fraught with irregularities. On May 21, Cuspinera penned a handwritten letter from prison, denouncing the lack of legal safeguards in his case and appealing for intervention from international organizations and the U.S. Department of State.
In his letter, he criticized Cuban State Security and the judicial system, accusing them of fabricating charges without granting him the right to effective defense. Prison authorities have allowed Cuspinera to make phone calls to his family in an effort to persuade him to end his hunger strike, as reported by the source to 14yMedio.
Moreover, authorities attempted to arrange a "family dynamic" with his wife, Camila Castro, who is also under investigation for similar charges. However, the plan failed: Camila visited the prison but was unable to see him. "They wanted to conduct a family dynamic without even understanding his emotional profile, merely to fulfill an institutional protocol and document it in the file," the source commented to 14yMedio.
Private Sector Under Pressure
The Cuspinera case has deeply shaken the confidence of Cuba's private business sector. Many interpret his detention as a warning from the government to deter private investment initiatives. Others view him as a casualty of an unpredictable legal system.
"They filed a tax evasion complaint without conducting an audit first," the source detailed. Following this, the Technical Investigation Directorate (DTI) arrested the entrepreneurs and suspended the licenses of Cuspinera SURL and Kmila-mart, effectively rendering both enterprises inoperative immediately.
"They thought it was a misunderstanding that would be quickly resolved, and that Frank could continue the process while free. But the authorities became increasingly severe and arbitrary," the source added.
The initial accusation claimed that revenues were not deposited in the bank, allegedly causing "damage to the system and dissatisfaction among the population." However, many entrepreneurs on the island argue that such practices are an unavoidable consequence of the economic system's design.
"Everyone knows that all micro, small and medium enterprises engage in currency trafficking because there is no legal availability of foreign currency. Nothing is produced here; everything must be imported," the source consulted by 14yMedio stated.
Meanwhile, Cuspinera's health continues to deteriorate, and his future remains uncertain. What began as a dream of entrepreneurship in Cuba has turned into a prison nightmare. His hunger strike might be his final attempt to be heard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Frank Cuspinera's Case
What prompted Frank Cuspinera to start a hunger strike?
Frank Cuspinera initiated a hunger strike to protest the alleged lack of justice in his legal proceedings, demanding fair treatment and intervention from international entities.
What charges is Frank Cuspinera facing in Cuba?
Cuspinera is under investigation for suspected tax evasion, currency trafficking, and money laundering, although his defenders claim the charges are unjust and procedurally flawed.
How has the private business sector in Cuba reacted to Cuspinera's detention?
Cuspinera's arrest has sent shockwaves through the private sector, with many viewing it as a government tactic to intimidate private investors and highlight the unpredictability of the legal system.