The Cuban ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel denied this Tuesday that the agencies responsible for processing remittances on the island are under military control and labeled that accusation as "a lie," used — according to him — by the United States to justify restrictions on sending money to Cuba.
However, he avoided referring directly to the financial structures linked to Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), the military consortium that manages a significant portion of the Cuban economy.
During an interview published on the YouTube channel Presidencia Cuba, as part of the Patria Colloquium, Díaz-Canel responded to a question about a possible suspension of remittances from the U.S. and attacked the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, accusing him of promoting measures against the island in collusion with the "anti-Cuban mafia of Miami."
"Here, it is important to distinguish that there is a gray figure for us within the current American Administration, which is Marco Rubio, who is very committed to the anti-Cuban mafia in Miami. He is the one who has promoted these measures, the one who is applying pressure (...) for the current administration to intensify the blockade measures," he stated.
Díaz-Canel stated that his government is prepared to confront this "intensification" with "the talent of the Cuban people, with intelligence, with innovation, and with great effort," although he acknowledged that these are measures that severely impact the population, particularly those who depend on money sent by relatives abroad.
He stated that the restrictions on remittances represent a "severe blow" to many Cuban families, especially amid the acute economic crisis the island is experiencing.
"With the remittance, a strong blow is dealt to potential income that a group of Cuban families might have whose members are in the United States, who have historically sent remittances as assistance to their families. This is something very normal anywhere in the world," he said.
The leader made comparisons with Latin American countries where remittances represent a significant source of income, although in the case of Cuba, he overlooked the particularities of the national financial system, in which the state—through its enterprises—maintains strict control over the foreign currency that enters the country.
"Here lies a contradiction, and I continue to be caught up in the inconsistencies of American politics (...) On one hand, the blockade is intensified, and on the other hand (...) you are going to cut the remittances (...) so that family can have a better economic situation. And on the other hand, you say that the policy you apply toward Cuba is intended to benefit the Cuban people. Where does that fit in?" he questioned.
Díaz-Canel also rejected the argument that remittances are funneled through entities controlled by the Cuban armed forces.
"The excuse is that if this is processed through an organization that, as they claim, is controlled by the Cuban military, that is also a lie," he stated.
Although he defended the usefulness of remittances for families, he avoided delving into the state's role in the circulation of that money and the benefits it represents for the government apparatus.
With empty rhetoric, the leader assured that remittances directly benefit the people and downplayed the state's involvement in their management.
"First and foremost, this benefits Cuban families. Since Cuban families receive that money in Cuba, they spend it in Cuba,” he said, adding that, as is the case in any country, the state can receive indirect revenue from the services provided or from the consumption of those remittances,” he emphasized.
Moreover, in a reflective—almost ironic—manner, he emphasized: "Why should this be a particularly different case for Cuba compared to the rest of the world? What justifies it? Why is it applied to Cubans and not to anyone else?"
Despite the claims made by the Cuban leader, various investigations have indicated otherwise. A recent inquiry by the Miami Herald revealed that Orbit S.A., the company that processes remittances sent from the United States to Cuba, is controlled by GAESA, the powerful military conglomerate that dominates a significant part of the dollarized economy in the country.
This finding contradicts not only the statements of the Cuban regime but also the argument of the administration of Joe Biden, who was President of the United States at the time, and in 2022 authorized the agreement with Orbit under the explicit condition that it had no military ties.
According to the U.S. media, the study—conducted in 2024—is based on internal documents from CIMEX, a subsidiary of GAESA, and on testimonies from sources with direct knowledge of the operations.
The investigation demonstrates how the Cuban government allegedly created a facade of a civil structure to evade the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration in 2020, which shutdown the operations of Fincimex, the state-owned company that once managed remittances and was also part of the military's business network.
However, under the new Trump administration, the stance towards the Cuban regime has tightened again. Last February, the U.S. State Department .
This measure is part of a series of actions taken by the White House in the early days of Trump's new term to strengthen economic pressure on the regime, according to an official statement from the Department of State.
With this new sanction, Washington reiterates its policy of not allowing the transfer of money from the U.S. to Cuba to end up strengthening the military apparatus that controls the most lucrative sectors of the island's economy.
In this regard, recently the Cuban-American congressman Carlos Giménez issued a strong , a country that sponsors international terrorism.
Through a message on social media platform X, Giménez stated: "Those who are traveling and sending remittances to the murderous regime in Cuba are doing so at their own risk. Don't complain later. You have been warned."
Frequently Asked Questions about Remittance Control and the Economic Situation in Cuba
Who controls the remittance agencies in Cuba?
Miguel Díaz-Canel has denied that remittance agencies in Cuba are under military control. However, investigations and sanctions from the U.S. State Department suggest that companies like Orbit S.A., which process these remittances, are linked to GAESA, the military conglomerate that manages a large portion of the Cuban economy.
What are the U.S. accusations regarding remittances in Cuba?
The United States has argued that remittances sent to Cuba are channeled through entities controlled by the military, such as Orbit S.A., and has imposed sanctions to prevent these resources from benefiting sectors that "oppress and surveil" the Cuban people. These sanctions aim to limit the regime's access to foreign currency income.
How does the suspension of remittances affect Cuban families?
The suspension of remittances represents a "severe blow" for many Cuban families who depend on money sent by relatives abroad, especially in the midst of the economic crisis facing the island. This situation is exacerbated by the restrictions imposed by the U.S. and the lack of effective alternatives to receive these funds.
What arguments does the Cuban government present against the U.S. sanctions?
The Cuban government maintains that the sanctions are a strategy by the U.S. to intensify the blockade and harm the population. Díaz-Canel has criticized figures such as Marco Rubio for promoting these measures and has stated that his administration is prepared to confront these adversities with "talent, intelligence, and innovation."
What role does GAESA play in the Cuban economy?
GAESA, the military conglomerate of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, controls a large part of the Cuban economy, including key sectors such as tourism, retail, and reportedly also remittances. Its influence on the economy is significant, raising concerns about state and military control over foreign exchange income.
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