The Cuban police seized 168 boxes of Legendario rum in a private home in Havana, in the San Miguel del Padrón municipality.
The boxes of Legendario rum came from Ronera Occidental, which belongs to the Havana Beverages and Soft Drinks Company. The goal was to sell the shipment on the black market.
Cuban state media reported that the alleged perpetrators of the resource diversion followed a plan to commit the crime without raising suspicion. They declared a loss in production at the warehouse that was higher than what the company had established.
No names or details were provided regarding the number of individuals involved in this criminal act, but Cuban authorities indicated that the offenders were fined, removed from their workplace, and are under police investigation.
The company stated that they are strengthening their control system and have included surprise inspections of inventories, raw materials, and supplies.
In the Cuban television video about this case, it was shown how the company uses plastic bottles, like those for oil, for the "cheap rum" they sell to the public, which is not exported.
This practice has upset Cubans and has been reported since 2022, yet the government continues to reserve glass bottles solely for high-quality rum.
The detection of the Legendario rum boxes occurred during the national exercise for the prevention and confrontation of crime, corruption, illegal activities, and social indiscipline that the government is conducting from December 2 to 7.
This is a new campaign by Miguel Díaz-Canel against corruption, arriving at a time of crisis in the country, amidst social media scandals involving his stepson Manuel Anido and Sandro, the grandson of Fidel Castro.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Occupation of Ron Legendario and Corruption in Cuba
What happened to the boxes of Legendario rum in Havana?
Cuban police seized 168 boxes of Legendario rum from a private home in the municipality of San Miguel del Padrón, Havana. These boxes, coming from Ronera Occidental, were intended for sale on the black market.
How did the diversion of rum boxes occur in Cuba?
The alleged perpetrators of the diversion of the Legendario rum cases reported a loss rate in production higher than that established by the company, which allowed them to remove the cases without raising suspicion. This action was part of a plan to sell the rum on the black market.
What measures are being taken to prevent future resource diversion in Cuba?
The company responsible for Legendario rum is strengthening its control system by implementing surprise checks on inventory, raw materials, and supplies. These actions aim to prevent future misappropriation of resources and improve internal management.
What is the current context of corruption in Cuba?
Cuba is undergoing a deep economic crisis, marked by numerous cases of corruption and resource diversion, such as the recent discovery of hidden meat in Cienfuegos and products stolen from warehouses in Havana. The government, led by Díaz-Canel, has launched an anti-corruption campaign, although its effectiveness is questioned due to the regime's lack of credibility.
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