The Cuban comedian Eddy Escobar has issued a powerful message to former Economy Minister Alejandro Gil Fernández, whose trial recently concluded in Havana amid a shroud of secrecy and with no access for independent media.
"My advice to Alejandro Gil is simple yet brutally honest: speak up. Tell everything," Escobar posted on his Facebook account, referring to the legal proceedings against the former Cuban minister accused of espionage, tax evasion, and influence peddling.
Escobar urged Gil to break his silence and reveal details "from Raúl to the last pawn in the chain," reminding him of the fate of General Arnaldo Ochoa, who was executed after believing in Fidel Castro's promise that his case was merely for public appeasement.
"You know too much. In a system built on secrets, silences, and forced loyalties, the one who breaks the pact is the one who changes history," Escobar emphasized.
The comedian, recognized for his critical posts about Cuban reality, suggested that Gil could become "the repentant villain who, by speaking out, exposed the entire monster to the people, not just its shadow."
The message was released shortly after the closure of the trial against the ousted minister, held at the Marianao Court under strict security and without transparency.
According to his sister, María Victoria Gil, the trial was "held behind closed doors, with a heavy security presence and no access even for immediate family members."
Gil Fernández, once a close ally of leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and the face of the so-called "monetary reorganization," faces serious charges that could result in a life sentence.
His fall from grace is seen as a political purge within the Cuban power structure, rather than a genuine exercise of justice.
"You have the real chance to open the eyes of a people who have lived for decades with half-truths, empty promises, and inherited fears," Escobar added.
In a recent interview with Univision journalist Javier Díaz, María Victoria Gil, a lawyer and sister of the disgraced minister, provided a stark, direct, and anguished testimony about the accused's situation and that of their family.
María Victoria detailed the lack of information and communication barriers: "The trial is completely sealed off... I have no communication because yesterday my niece and nephew had their internet cut off and WhatsApp blocked."
The sister of the former minister did not hold back in describing what she perceives as a politically motivated persecution with personal vendettas: "This is a typical case of brutal persecution."
She noted that her brother has been "detained for over a year in a high-security prison"—a situation she describes with horror and detail—and added: "He is suffering... undergoing degrading treatment... he has lost 50 pounds, has no hair, and is suffering from stress-induced alopecia areata."
While she acknowledges that entering power involves such risks and that corruption is systemic, she defended the notion that her brother was not a typical spy: "I doubt very much... that my brother could have been a spy. What I do think is that my brother wanted to change things... he became inconvenient because he wanted to change things within Cuba's economic structure."
Key Questions About Alejandro Gil's Trial and Its Implications
Why was Alejandro Gil Fernández put on trial?
Alejandro Gil Fernández was put on trial for alleged crimes including espionage, tax evasion, and influence peddling. His trial attracted attention due to the secrecy surrounding it and the serious nature of the charges.
What are the potential consequences of Alejandro Gil's trial?
If found guilty, Alejandro Gil Fernández faces severe penalties that could include a life sentence. His trial is also seen as part of a larger political purge within the Cuban government.
What role did Eddy Escobar play in the situation?
Eddy Escobar, a Cuban comedian known for his critical writings, urged Alejandro Gil to speak out and reveal the truth, suggesting that breaking the silence could alter the course of history.