Illegal land and property occupations in Cuba are not isolated incidents nor limited to the general public. High-ranking state agencies are directly involved, as revealed by the National Institute of Territorial and Urban Planning (INOTU). Among the entities implicated are the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), and the ministries responsible for Education, Transportation, Agriculture, Construction, Tourism, and Food Industry, along with companies from the Sugar Group and Business Management Group.
On Tuesday, Yordanka Vázquez Cuñat, the vice president of INOTU, presented an official report to the Commission of Industry, Construction, and Energy ahead of the fifth session of the X Legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP). Statistics show that 93% of the illegalities identified by the Institute by May 2025 relate to illegal land occupations, many of which are under the control of these state institutions.
Altogether, over 11,000 fines were imposed, including 105 on legal entities, highlighting that the issue extends beyond ordinary citizens and deeply into state structures. This raises significant concerns about internal control, transparency, and adherence to urban regulations within the institutional system of the regime.
The continued inaction or permissiveness towards these irregularities over the years has further eroded the legitimacy of many institutions in the eyes of the populace. A stark example lies within the Ministry of Construction, which has consistently failed to meet housing construction plans, exacerbating the housing crisis and causing an increase in urban regulation violations as citizens seek shelter.
The state tends to overlook institutional wrongdoings, focusing instead on citizens violating urban regulations. The report itself details the existence of 961 informal neighborhoods, with 513 lacking official recognition and 379 deemed precarious.
In 2021, CiberCuba reported on a particularly scandalous case of land occupation. Families from Ramón de Antilla in Holguín were forcibly evicted as part of a GAESA-led tourism project. Approved in 2017, this initiative aimed to construct thousands of hotel rooms, offering no benefits to local residents.
Despite INOTU's report and its control actions, without exemplary measures against non-compliant institutions or effective oversight mechanisms, violations of urban regulations are likely to increase, even from within the state apparatus.
FAQs on Illegal Land Occupations in Cuba
Which Cuban state entities are involved in illegal land occupations?
Entities involved include the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and the ministries of Education, Transportation, Agriculture, Construction, Tourism, and Food Industry, along with certain state corporations.
What percentage of detected illegalities pertain to land occupation?
According to INOTU, 93% of detected illegalities by May 2025 involved illegal land occupations.
How many fines were imposed for illegal land occupations?
Over 11,000 fines were issued, including 105 to legal entities, underscoring the widespread nature of the problem.