Maria Victoria Gil, a television host and attorney, and sister of Cuba's former Minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil Fernández, has accused Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz of orchestrating the espionage charges against her brother. She claims Marrero has been the driving force behind the entire legal proceedings.
During an interview with Mario J. Pentón of Martí Noticias, Gil disclosed that a "very reliable" source, whose identity she cannot reveal for safety reasons, informed her that Alejandro Gil is accused of espionage on behalf of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
"I have been told that the espionage charge against him is for spying for the CIA. It's unbelievable. I am at a loss for words," she remarked, emphasizing her disbelief that Alejandro could have become a spy for any nation.
The Allegations and the Legal Battle
Maria Victoria stated that her brother vehemently denies all allegations of espionage, refuting them from the very start of the investigation. She praised the defense provided by attorney Abel Solás, who she said delivered a "brilliant" rebuttal to each aspect of the accusation and questioned the validity of the case file.
Explaining the legal process, she noted that espionage cases in Cuba are not handled by the Attorney General's Office but are directly managed by State Security, which operates in a "clandestine" manner, making it challenging to discern whether the charges are legitimate or fabricated to impose a severe penalty.
The Role of Marrero in Gil's Downfall
Maria Victoria pinpointed February 1, 2024, as the beginning of her brother's troubles, recalling a call from Prime Minister Marrero informing Alejandro Gil that his work as Minister of Economy and Planning was unsatisfactory and that he would be removed from his position the next day. He was instructed to start handing over all documents related to his ministry immediately.
Following his dismissal on February 2, which coincided with his wife Gina María González's birthday, President Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly commended Gil for his "good work" and Gil responded on social media, declaring his commitment to continue working for the revolution.
Despite his removal, Gil continued visiting the Ministry of Economy for several weeks to prepare and hand over documents as directed by Marrero. On February 24, he was summoned to the prime minister's office to finalize the handover, only to find State Security officers waiting to inform him that he and his wife were under investigation and would be placed under "house arrest" in a location controlled by the Ministry of the Interior.
Espionage, Internal Power Struggles, and Corruption
For Maria Victoria, her brother's ordeal is more indicative of internal power struggles than a solid espionage case. She criticized the notion of singling out one official for corruption in a nation "where the entire leadership is corrupt" and where the children of top regime figures study at expensive European universities.
She argued that the espionage accusation fits the regime's historical narrative of blaming the United States for its failures, sarcastically suggesting that the disastrous "monetary reorganization" under her brother's tenure was a "CIA plot" to ruin Cuba's economy, when in truth, she claimed, the country's collapse is due to a failed and corrupt system.
Despite placing the blame largely on Marrero, Maria Victoria also questioned Miguel Díaz-Canel's role, suggesting that if the president was unaware of the plot against his minister, it would warrant political consequences. "As a leader, you are legally obliged to oversee your subordinates. If you fail to do so, you are also responsible," she argued, adding that Díaz-Canel is possibly the "least culpable" due to being sidelined from the maneuver.
Family, Fear, and Government Silence
Living in Spain for ten years, Maria Victoria revealed she is the only family member who never supported the Cuban regime, unlike her sister-in-law and nephews who recently publicly endorsed the government. She mentioned that one nephew attended the trial but likely signed a confidentiality agreement, explaining his silence.
"He's scared. We live in a dictatorship where if you're not with me, you're my enemy," she explained about her nephew's situation.
Maria Victoria recounted offering Alejandro the chance to obtain Spanish citizenship, as they are of Galician descent, but he declined, saying he was happy in Cuba and willing to "give his life for his country." This decision now prevents his children from taking advantage of historical memory laws to emigrate.
Meanwhile, Pentón plans to forward the espionage allegations to the U.S. Department of State to seek an official response, as Cuban authorities have not confirmed the charges against Gil publicly.
Espionage Charges and Internal Cuban Politics
What are the charges against Alejandro Gil?
Alejandro Gil is accused of espionage on behalf of the CIA, according to a source cited by his sister Maria Victoria Gil.
Who does Maria Victoria Gil blame for her brother's situation?
Maria Victoria Gil holds Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz responsible, alleging he is behind the charges against her brother.
How does the Cuban government handle espionage cases?
In Cuba, espionage cases are managed directly by State Security, bypassing the Attorney General's Office, and are often conducted in secrecy.