Javier Sotomayor denies ties to Mipyme in Matanzas following tax evasion

The Cuban Javier Sotomayor, a legend of world athletics, denied any connection with the Mipyme D'Soto S.U.R.L., a company that has found itself embroiled in legal issues due to a debt of approximately nine million Cuban pesos with the National Office of Tax Administration (ONAT).

The entity, based in Matanzas and dedicated to gastronomy and online food deliveries, has accumulated a debt of approximately 8.6 million pesos, as explained by Dariel Sotomayor, brother of the acclaimed former athlete, in a post (subsequently deleted) on the social media platform Facebook.

Although the Mipyme is registered in the name of her half-brother (Dariel), some mentioned that the world record holder in high jump - both outdoors and indoors - could be the actual owner or investor.

However, in a statement on social media, the Olympic and world medalist stated: "Dariel is my half-brother and D'SOTO is a small and medium-sized enterprise located in Matanzas with a single owner (him). I have absolutely nothing to do with his company. I have neither received nor invested a single cent in it, nor have I made any arrangements."

In response to the post by content creator José Raúl Díaz Barrios on the aforementioned social network, Sotomayor also clarified that the coincidence of surnames has led to misunderstandings: "Being Dariel, the son of our father, means we have the same last name, and someone (I don't know who) made up that I am the owner of D'SOTO for it to be news. I am not even a partner, even though we both share the last name SOTOMAYOR."

"I have absolutely nothing to do with their company. I haven't received or invested a cent in it, nor have I had any dealings with it. There are many comments, but those who have truly been involved are clients or employees of D'Soto; they know that I have absolutely nothing to do with their company," he added.

In addition, the former athlete mentioned that his bar 2.45 in Havana, which is indeed connected to him, has been closed since November due to profitability issues, dispelling rumors about other reasons.

For his part, Dariel Sotomayor, administrator of D'SOTO S.U.R.L., could face charges for tax evasion if the debt with the ONAT is not settled.

Without a doubt, this case has generated various opinions on social media, especially due to the initial association with Sotomayor, a prominent figure in Cuban sports, something that journalist Aníbal Oliva addressed through a video on his digital platforms.

The news spread like wildfire

Many outlets echoed the news. The profile La Tijera reported on X that “D'Doto S.U.R.L., the most powerful micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (Mipyme) in Matanzas, owned by Javier Sotomayor Sanabria with multiple U.E.B. branches and leasing contracts with state-owned companies located in Matanzas and Havana, is managed by the front man Dariel Sotomayor Rivero, the younger brother of Javier Sotomayor Sanabria who is the true owner of this Mipyme.”

He added: The same entity incurred a multi-million debt with the provincial ONAT of Matanzas, which led to a general audit that lasted over three months. Yesterday, the conclusions were presented, and they must pay a multi-million debt of about 9 million pesos, or the frontman Dariel, Administrator of the Mipymes D'Soto S.U.R.L, will go to prison for alleged tax evasion, causing serious harm to the state's public funds.

He also reported that "dissatisfied with the ONAT audit decision, Dariel made a public post on Facebook to express his deep displeasure regarding what happened, blaming individuals rather than the government, even comparing it to death and expressing a desire to abandon everything and leave the country."

Frequently Asked Questions about the Javier Sotomayor case and the Mipyme D'Soto