Family businesses may have influenced the dismissal of the vice prime minister in Cuba.

The dismissal of Jorge Luis Perdomo Di-Lella, until recently the First Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba, has sparked a strong wave of speculation and debate on social media and in independent press outlets.

Although the official information only states "errors in the performance of their duties" as the reason for the removal, various reports suggest that their exit may be related to the business dealings of their brother, Yoel Perdomo Di-Lella, who controls several private companies with alleged ties and privileges granted by the Cuban regime itself.

The news has reignited the debate over corruption and the lack of transparency within the ruling elite, as well as the increasing economic power of individuals connected to high-ranking officials.

A rise under the protection of the dome and the Palco Group.

According to a report by 14ymedio, Jorge Luis Perdomo, who served as vice prime minister since 2021, has been officially dismissed on the grounds of unspecified "errors."

His departure resembles the dismissal of Alejandro Gil Fernández, former Minister of Economy, in February of this year, also under vague accusations of "serious errors" without any public details regarding the cause. Since his arrest, nothing has been heard about his case, nor has any news about him emerged.

On social media, the case of Gil Fernández has been linked to the alleged corruption arrest of Fernando Javier Albán Torres, a Cuban businessman and founding partner of the Mipyme AgroIndustrial Media Luna, based in Ciego de Ávila.

In both cases, the lack of transparency has led to frustration among the population, which questions the opaque handling of these issues at a time when the country is experiencing a severe economic crisis.

Jorge Luis Perdomo's career was defined by his role as Minister of Information and Communications, where he championed the controversial Decree-Law 370, known as the "whip law," which increased censorship and repression on social media. Despite his repressive role, the law strengthened his image within the state apparatus.

However, investigations suggest that the true reason for his dismissal may be linked to the business career of his brother Yoel, who has established himself as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in Havana, with access to state resources and backed by the Palco Business Group.

Yoel Perdomo's businesses and his connection with the regime.

Yoel Perdomo Di-Lella has established a business empire both on the island and abroad, largely due to his connections with Palco, an entity linked to the Council of State that serves as a bridge between the state sector and foreign capital companies.

According to a report by CubaNet, Yoel began his career as the dining room manager at the Comodoro hotel in the 1990s, and later worked with Abraham Maciques, president of Palco, at the Palacio de Convenciones, until his dismissal in June 2021.

These connections quickly propelled him to success in the business world, managing the renowned restaurant "El Palenque" and overseeing important events, which solidified his relationships with powerful figures.

In 2021, with his brother Jorge Luis already serving as vice prime minister, Yoel Perdomo was appointed director of Camax Chile S.A., a Panamanian company that presents itself as foreign, although it operates closely with Palco in Cuba.

This company operates as an offshore entity, allowing the Palco Group to manage imports and foreign exchange under the guise of "privatization."

In addition to Camax, Yoel has expanded his empire with Tuambia SURL, a small and medium-sized enterprise focused on online sales and delivery of consumer products that operates with the logistics and distribution of Palco.

Investigations, arrests, and the outcome of the dismissal.

The dismissal of Jorge Luis Perdomo occurred just a few days after his brother Yoel and other executives from Palco were questioned in an investigation into corruption, currency trafficking, and tax fraud.

Although Yoel has not been formally arrested, his accounts have been frozen, and authorities have confiscated cash amounts from properties associated with him and others involved, in what appears to be a "cleaning" operation within the state leadership.

According to sources close to CubaNet, Jorge Luis Perdomo had been informed of his imminent dismissal days before the official announcement and continued to participate in meetings until the very end.

The situation recalls the departure of former minister Gil Fernández and is part of the Cuban regime's efforts to project an image of fighting corruption amid widespread public discontent.

However, the population has criticized the lack of details regarding the real reasons for these dismissals, which seem more like a maneuver to conceal internal conflicts and power struggles.

The private sector as a means for family enrichment under the regime.

The case of the Perdomo brothers has highlighted how the private sector in Cuba has become a means for the enrichment of the relatives of high-ranking officials.

In his program Desde la Presidencia, Díaz-Canel has pointed to the new economic actors as sources of corruption, while other leaders, such as Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, have criticized the growth of Mipymes, accusing them of exacerbating inequality and corruption on the Island.

However, several independent reports have revealed that many of these Mipymes are directly linked to the state apparatus or to relatives of high-ranking officials, which undermines the notion of a private sector independent of the government.

In this context, Yoel Perdomo represents a new generation of entrepreneurs who, under the umbrella of private enterprises, maintain close relationships with government institutions and gain access to resources and advantages that other entrepreneurs do not have.

This phenomenon has generated increasing rejection among the population, who view the expansion of the private sector in the hands of the elite as a consolidation of the economic power of the ruling class, rather than a step towards genuine economic liberalization.

The role of Jorge Luis Perdomo in protecting family businesses.

The dismissal of Perdomo Di-Lella is perceived by analysts as part of the internal power struggles within the leadership. His alleged protection of his brother's businesses at the expense of other entrepreneurs is seen as a "mistake" in the context of the economic crisis and the public's distrust of the regime.

Close sources to the case have indicated that his departure was hastened by pressure from sectors within the regime itself that seek to improve their image due to the increasing allegations of corruption flooding social media and independent outlets.

Meanwhile, Yoel Perdomo's businesses, particularly Tuambia SURL, have continued to operate normally, reflecting how connections in power can help evade the consequences of an investigation.

Although the outcome remains uncertain, it is clear that the case of the Perdomo Di-Lella brothers reveals the deep interconnection between the state and private sectors in the Cuban economy, as well as the conflicts of interest and corruption that characterize the current crisis of the regime.

For many, the dismissal of Jorge Luis Perdomo Di-Lella is nothing more than a superficial maneuver, and both the media and social media users continue to demand comprehensive explanations for the reasons behind his removal, as well as effective measures that truly separate the state apparatus from the business spheres that have now become the family assets of the Cuban elite.