Cuba Says Former Economy Minister Under Investigation

Cuban authorities said they are investigating recently sacked Economy Minister, Alejandro Gil over committing “grave errors” in his former role, rattling the highest ranks of Cuba’s ruling Communist Party and its hermetic politics.

Gil, who was sacked by President Miguel Diaz-Canel in February, spearheaded a major monetary reform in Cuba in 2021 largely seen as disastrous for the Cuban economy.

A television news broadcast and a subsequent news story in state-run digital news outlet CubaDebate said a “rigorous investigation” had taken place and accused Gil of “serious errors in the performance of his duties.”

The publications provided no details of those errors or the allegations against Gil.

“The leadership of our Party and government has never allowed, nor will it ever allow, the proliferation of corruption, simulation, and insensitivity,” the statement in state-run media said.

Gil did not immediately respond to the announcements.

State-run media, however, said Gil had acknowledged the accusations and “renounced his status as a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and as a deputy to the National Assembly.”

Gil advocated most recently for an unpopular plan to raise prices for many government-subsidized services, from gasoline to electricity and cooking gas, raising tensions on the street amid runaway inflation and rampant shortages.

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere