Adys Lastres Morera, the sister of Brigadier General Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera—currently at the helm of Cuba's military conglomerate GAESA—is residing in Florida and holds executive positions in companies linked to the real estate industry, as shown by state corporate records.
According to a report by journalist Mario J. Pentón for Martí Noticias, Lastres Morera is listed as a manager or registered agent for at least two Florida-based companies engaged in property investment and management.
Documents from the Florida Division of Corporations reveal Lastres Morera as the registered agent and manager of REMAS Investments LLC, a company dedicated to real estate investments.
Her name is also associated with Santa Elena Investments LLC, a Boca Raton-based firm registered under Vicente Zamora.
REMAS Investments LLC offers services in property buying and selling, investor consulting, and project management within Florida. The company claims to leverage artificial intelligence and innovative strategies to enhance the profitability of investments in land, homes, apartments, and condominiums.
The report notes that Adys Lastres Morera arrived in the United States in January 2023, sponsored by her son, Ernesto Carvajal Lastres, a U.S. citizen.
Family Ties with Cuba's Economic Core
Adys's sister, Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, leads Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), the business conglomerate controlled by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. GAESA is seen as the economic backbone of Cuba's military power, overseeing key sectors such as tourism, foreign currency retail, remittances, banking, and significant portions of foreign trade.
Well-known businesses under GAESA include Gaviota, CIMEX, TRD Caribe, RAFIN, and the Banco Financiero Internacional. The conglomerate manages billions of dollars in assets and a substantial share of Cuba's foreign currency earnings. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned GAESA for directly financing the Cuban military and security apparatus.
The previous head of GAESA was General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Callejas, Raul Castro's former son-in-law, who also faced U.S. sanctions before his death.
From Cuban Real Estate to Florida Ventures
Before relocating to the U.S., Adys Lastres Morera was involved in renting properties in Havana. A verified Airbnb profile in her name listed at least three properties for tourist rentals, including Casa Verde Habana near the Plaza de la Revolución; Casa Presidente, a 320-square-meter luxury apartment in a 20th-century building; and another property in the Paseo and Independencia area.
While in Cuba, she publicly supported the country's political system and participated in activities with foreign visitors allied with the Cuban government. Since moving to the U.S., her public presence has waned. She deleted her social media profiles following reports on her family ties and international travels to countries like Cuba, Panama, Spain, and El Salvador.
GAESA Chief's Daughter Also Abroad
Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera's daughter also lives outside Cuba. She resides in Panama, where she has pursued a career in the port and logistics sector, after starting her professional path at one of Cuba's key economic zones: the Mariel Container Terminal (TC Mariel).
Any Rodríguez Lastres, a University of Havana graduate, began working in 2014 as a commercial specialist at TC Mariel. She progressed through roles in Commercial Strategy and Market Research, eventually moving to Panama, where she has been employed by international companies in the port and logistics field.
Key Questions About GAESA's Influence and Family Ties
What is GAESA and why is it significant in Cuba?
GAESA, or Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., is a conglomerate controlled by Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces. It plays a pivotal role in the nation's economy by overseeing strategic sectors like tourism, foreign currency retail, and banking.
How has Adys Lastres Morera's relocation to the U.S. affected her business activities?
Since moving to the U.S., Adys Lastres Morera has become involved in Florida's real estate sector, holding executive roles in companies like REMAS Investments LLC, which focuses on property investment and management.