The former Cuban presenter María Victoria Gil addressed on Monday the interpretations that circulated on social media and in part of the independent press regarding the testimony of the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel in the trial for economic crimes against his brother, the former Minister of Economy Alejandro Gil Fernández.
In statements to the YouTuber Darwin Santana, known as The World of Darwin, the lawyer specified that Díaz-Canel was indeed a witness for the prosecution, but was not physically present in the courtroom, as some media had interpreted. Her appearance, she explained, took place "in closed session," through a signed statement.
"I never said that Miguel Díaz-Canel was physically present at the trial. I stated that he appeared as a witness for the prosecution, and the appearance can be made in different ways according to procedural law," he clarified. "He gave his testimony behind closed doors and signed his statement, which contains details of the crimes attributed to my brother."
The also lawyer, who resides in Spain, insisted that the ruling party member's participation as a witness for the prosecution constitutes a personal and political betrayal towards someone who was for years his closest collaborator.
“A man who is capable of betraying a friend, a brother,” he lamented. “Not only does he betray as a politician to save his damaged image; he betrays as a human being.”
He recalled that the relationship between them was "very close," to the point that Díaz-Canel supervised the former minister's Economics thesis, and even publicly praised him after dismissing him and congratulated him on his "excellent work" just days before the scandal broke.
"They were one... Now, to protect themselves, they testify against him," she pointed out.
A closed trial, four days of sessions, and a prosecutor's request for 30 years
The lawyer reiterated that the process, which concluded after four consecutive sessions, took place under "absolute secrecy." Neither the Cuban Television News nor any official media outlet mentioned the trial for embezzlement, influence peddling, money laundering, and other economic crimes.
The family was only allowed to enter the room "after signing a confidentiality agreement," a practice that, they said, aims to "silence the victims and prevent the public from knowing the truth."
According to what he explained, the prosecutor's request against his brother is for 30 years of imprisonment.
María Victoria acknowledged once again that her brother has admitted to some of the economic crimes, although she maintains that he is being used as a “scapegoat” for a crisis that involves many other officials.
“Power corrupts, and in a corrupt system, it is impossible for a minister to emerge unscathed. But it can't be that all the responsibility falls on just one person,” he said. “The important figures have been disappearing, and only my brother is left paying for everything.”
A report that breaks the imposed silence
Despite the family pressure for her to stop speaking out, including her niece's plea, who fears that her statements could worsen the situation for the former minister, María Victoria insists that she will continue to expose what she believes is a political operation to protect the power elite.
"The people of Cuba have the right to know what has happened," he stated. "I speak because I hold the truth in my hands. In dictatorships, there are no rights, but at least let there be a record of the injustice."
The former presenter promised to continue updating on the case, convinced that the only light that can penetrate a closed judicial process "is the one that manages to sneak in from the outside."
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