The Cuban lawyer and former presenter María Victoria Gil Fernández publicly acknowledged in an exclusive interview with CiberCuba that her brother, former minister Alejandro Gil Fernández, did not have the proper preparation to take on the responsibility of the national economy.
In response to the question of whether her brother was qualified to take on the position, Vicky Gil stated:
"Of course not. My brother is an engineer specializing in maritime transport... My brother is not an economist to manage the economy of a country like Cuba."
Gil explained that, although his brother obtained a doctorate in economics, his education was a formality directed from the top echelons of power
“My brother wrote a thesis and a doctorate in economics whose advisor was, guess who? Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez”, he remarked, highlighting the ideological and functional nature of that title.
For her, Alejandro Gil took on functions without sufficient knowledge, and his mistakes as minister were a direct result of that lack of preparation
"With limited knowledge and a system like ours, I believe my brother acted more out of ignorance and incapacity, and more due to omission."
The most illustrative example was the implementation of economic restructuring during the pandemic, a measure that—according to his testimony—was as ill-timed as it was destructive.
"The idea that emerged from the economic restructuring at a time when the world was engulfed in a pandemic, when the economy was devastated, who thought of doing that?" he questioned.
A broken country and a responsible minister
Beyond the technical aspects, María Victoria Gil expressed a deeply critical view of the outcomes of the economic policies her brother implemented. She was direct in her criticism, holding him personally accountable for the suffering of the Cuban people.
"My brother is guilty of the misery of the people of Cuba, he is guilty of inflation, he is guilty of sadness, despair, and desolation," he stated.
In its description, present-day Cuba is a country devoid of hope, where people give away their homes to emigrate, and where silence has replaced joy
"It is to blame for the streets of Cuba being devoid of children, devoid of people, devoid of joy, devoid of hope."
Despite these harsh words, Gil maintained that his criticism does not stem from resentment, but from a love for the truth and for his homeland
"I apologize to the people of Cuba for the blood I share with Alejandro Gil… my brother is very important to me, I love him with all my heart, but first and foremost is my homeland."
"You have to pay... but not just that."
In the judicial realm, it was clear: her brother must be held accountable for the mistakes made during his time at the Ministry. However, she was also resolute in rejecting the idea that he should bear all the blame for a system in which decisions are not made individually
"I am not against my brother paying for his mistakes and for the financial errors he must have made," he said.
But he warned: “Let no one tell me that one can make a decision in Cuba per se, without consulting... indiscriminately. The measures adopted by the government of our country go through a filter, and if they are not approved and do not bear the signature of Raúl Castro Ruz and the rest of the Machiavellian clique, they do not come to light.”
Thus, he focused on the chain of command of the Cuban regime, where major decisions are made with the consent of the leadership, rather than by the will of a single official.
Prison, espionage, and family silence
María Victoria also shared new details about her brother's current situation. She confirmed that Alejandro Gil has been detained since March 7, 2024, a month after his dismissal as minister.
The family, according to his niece, can barely see him for 15 minutes every 15 days under high security conditions. According to her testimony, he has lost 50 pounds, has lost all his hair in a year, and is in a maximum-security prison.
Additionally, he expressed his confusion regarding the serious charges brought against him, which include espionage, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, and forgery of public documents.
The prosecution has requested life imprisonment, and the case has been presented to the Supreme People's Court, where the trial is expected to take place before the end of the year.
Although he was blunt regarding his economic mistakes, Gil expressed skepticism about the espionage accusation: "I don't think he could do that. My brother is very noble."
She also criticized the secrecy of the process. According to her, she learned about the arrest only when Cuban television announced the news. Since then, she has felt familial isolation, and even lost contact with her niece for months, in an atmosphere of fear and silence.
A call for truth and justice
María Victoria Gil concluded her statement by demanding transparency, due process, and shared accountability. She argued that her brother must be held accountable, but he should not be used as a “scapegoat” to protect others responsible for the Cuban economic disaster.
The former minister is accused of espionage, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, and forgery of public documents, among other crimes.
The Prosecutor's Office submitted the proceedings to the Supreme People's Court on October 31, and according to her sister, the trial will take place before the end of the year.
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