María Victoria Gil, the sister of ousted Cuban Economy Minister Alejandro Gil Fernández, has spoken out following the Supreme People's Court's announcement of a life sentence for her brother. She described him as "the perfect scapegoat" for Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime.
In an exclusive interview with journalist Mario J. Pentón, aired by Martí Noticias, Gil expressed both sorrow and resolve upon hearing the news: "I learned about this sad news from you, Mario. It is incredibly hard for me and my family, but life is like that, and we must face it with courage," she stated from Spain, where she currently resides.
María Victoria claimed that the trial was a political maneuver, asserting that the espionage charges were part of "a significant manipulation by the regime."
"The information is so vague that anyone could be accused of being a spy. My brother has fallen victim to a completely corrupt system, devoid of rights or legal safeguards," she declared.
While acknowledging Alejandro Gil's involvement in corrupt activities, María Victoria was unequivocal: "My brother is corrupt, just like all of them, but on a much smaller scale. He was the public face of the economic disaster, always in the spotlight for bad news, shouldering the blame for the country's collapse."
Gil Fernández, who served as Minister of Economy and Planning and was a prominent figure in Díaz-Canel's cabinet, received a life sentence for espionage and an additional 20 years for corruption, bribery, influence peddling, and tax evasion.
According to the official notice, the penalties also include asset confiscation and a permanent ban from holding public office.
His sister labeled the verdict as a "political sentence" and vowed that the family would exhaust all legal avenues both within and outside Cuba.
"This won't end here. We will appeal, and then take the case to the International Court of Justice. My son, a European lawyer, will handle it. We won't let this stand," she emphasized.
Throughout the interview, María Victoria Gil also criticized the lack of transparency in the trial process. "There is no public evidence, no known names, dates, or alleged espionage alias. Everything is controlled by State Security. In Cuba, espionage cases are not overseen by the Prosecutor’s Office, but by the political police," she alleged.
Having worked for years in Cuban media, the lawyer openly criticized the system condemning her brother. "It's a government rotten to the core. There is no justice, no legality, no rights. Cubans are imprisoned both on and off the island. I hope that when Maduro falls, the Cuban dictatorship will fall too," she said emotionally.
As the conversation concluded, the sister of the former minister acknowledged her state of deep distress. "I am shattered. I thought it was all a façade, that my brother was under protection in a MININT house. I never imagined he was actually in Guanajay prison. I can't believe he will spend the rest of his life there," she concluded.
María Victoria Gil's interview provides a rare glimpse into the family perspective of the former minister, confirming what has so far been a public perception: that Alejandro Gil's case, rather than just a legal proceeding, has become a politically charged trial intended to serve as an example within a regime striving to assert authority amid economic collapse.
Insights on Alejandro Gil's Trial and Sentence
Why was Alejandro Gil sentenced to life imprisonment?
Alejandro Gil was sentenced to life imprisonment for espionage and received additional sentences for corruption, bribery, influence peddling, and tax evasion.
What is María Victoria Gil's stance on her brother's trial?
María Victoria Gil believes the trial was politically motivated and that her brother was used as a scapegoat by the Cuban regime.
What actions does María Victoria plan to take following her brother's sentencing?
She plans to exhaust all legal avenues, including appealing the case and taking it to the International Court of Justice, with the assistance of her son, a European lawyer.