In the aftermath of the espionage trial against former Minister of Economy Alejandro Gil, the regime's silence starkly contrasts with the growing testimonies emerging from abroad.
María Victoria Gil, a former Cuban Television presenter and sister of Alejandro Gil, has once again broken through the informational blockade to disclose a personal and political revelation: Alejandro Gil had the opportunity to become a Spanish citizen but chose not to.
In an interview with journalist Mario J. Pentón of Martí Noticias, María Victoria shared that both she and her brother were eligible for Spanish citizenship through their four Galician grandparents. While she took steps to secure her status, she attempted to persuade him to do the same. His response was unequivocal.
“Brother, take advantage of the fact that I have all the documents so you can become a Spanish citizen too,” she recounted telling him. “I don’t need it. I live in Cuba, I’m happy, I would give my life for my country, and I don’t need to be Spanish,” was Gil's response, who at that time also served as deputy prime minister.
This decision, made before his downfall, now weighs heavily on the entire family. María Victoria states that his children can no longer apply for citizenship under the Law of Democratic Memory, leaving them tied to Cuba while their father faces charges that could lead to a life sentence. "They'll have to stay in Cuba," she lamented.
The revelations extend further. According to María Victoria, "highly reliable" sources informed her that the regime accuses Gil of spying for the CIA, a claim she describes as absurd and which her brother, she asserts, “categorically denies, point by point” from the outset of the investigations. She also praised his lawyer's defense as "brilliant."
An additional human element in her testimony is the timeline of the former minister's downfall, placing Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero at the heart of her brother's misfortune.
María Victoria claims that after several summonses and document submissions, Gil and his wife were taken to an operational house of the Ministry of the Interior, where they stayed for four months. Initially believing it was "a big circus," she later learned he was transferred to Guanajay maximum-security prison, where he receives only 15-minute visits every two weeks.
She points to Marrero as the main orchestrator of the proceedings: “He is the person who has been both in front and behind all of this.” While public criticism often targets Díaz-Canel, she maintains that the leader “knew nothing” about the investigation, which, if true, would portray him as an uninformed leader within his own ranks.
“He’s not going to escape life imprisonment,” María Victoria said, convinced that the verdict is already determined.
Amid official silence and distant family voices daring to speak, Alejandro Gil's story reveals not only the harsh internal power struggles within Cuba but also the intimate tragedy of an official who could have left but chose to stay.
Questions About Alejandro Gil's Trial and Citizenship Decision
Why did Alejandro Gil refuse Spanish citizenship?
Alejandro Gil declined Spanish citizenship because he felt content living in Cuba and was willing to dedicate his life to his country, expressing no need to become a Spanish citizen.
What are the charges against Alejandro Gil?
Alejandro Gil is accused by the Cuban regime of espionage for the CIA, a claim he and his sister strongly deny as baseless.
How did Alejandro Gil's family react to his refusal of Spanish citizenship?
His family, particularly his sister María Victoria, expressed regret over his decision as it now affects his children's ability to seek opportunities outside of Cuba.
Who is believed to be behind Alejandro Gil's legal troubles?
María Victoria Gil identifies Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero as the key figure orchestrating the proceedings against her brother.