The Cuban activist Carolina Barrero reacted strongly to the recent revelations from the newspaper El Nuevo Herald regarding the cash funds managed by the military conglomerate GAESA, controlled by the Armed Forces of the Cuban regime.
An investigation by journalist Nora Gámez Torres indicates that GAESA would have 18 billion dollars in cash, an amount greater than the international reserves of countries like Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Panama.
"Since the revelations came out yesterday, I haven't stopped making calculations and thinking about the dimensions of a deception that is known but not fully grasped. Because the devil is always in the details," Barrero wrote on his Facebook profile.
The activist denounced the dual rhetoric of the Cuban regime
"The Castro tyranny, owner of GAESA, pretends to be a victim of the embargo to the world while being the predator. It demands that Cubans resist while they suck every last drop of our blood."
The article cited by Barrero also notes that the revealed figure could be only a part of GAESA's fortune.
"And 18 billion might just be half. The article mentions that the revenues of CIMEX, a company based in Panama, are not accounted for and would represent almost 50%. To that, we must add what doesn't even appear in this accounting. The 'B' cash of the 'B' cash, which surely exists," he pointed out.
To illustrate the contrast between that wealth and the national crisis, the activist recalled that "43 million dollars a year are needed to supply essential medications to the national health system, and 250 million a year to keep the electrical infrastructure functioning. This would be enough to ensure both needs for more than 50 years. However, the money does not go there."
Barrero also struck out against officials and spokespersons of the regime who "have repeatedly claimed that the U.S. sanctions prevent them from paying for essential items such as milk for children, medicine, and the maintenance of the deteriorating energy infrastructure."
"I am waiting for the vigorous comments from Johana Tablada, Carlos Alzugaray, Israel Rojas, Julio Cesar Guanche, and that long list of defenders of the doctrine of embargo victimhood, whitewashers of a caste of thieves, and weavers of the confusion that enables the regime's prevalence," said Barrero
The activist warned the leaders of the Cuban government that little by little the "theater is collapsing, the masks will continue to fall, and there will be nothing left but ignominy and shame to share."
Frequently Asked Questions about GAESA and Its Impact on Cuba
How much money does the military conglomerate GAESA manage in Cuba?
GAESA manages more than 18 billion dollars in cash, a figure that exceeds the international reserves of several Latin American countries. This amount represents a resource accumulation controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, through various companies under the GAESA umbrella, such as CIMEX and Gaviota. According to research, this amount could even be double if other unofficial income sources are included.
Why is GAESA criticized for not investing in the social welfare of Cuba?
The main criticism is that, despite managing enormous financial resources, GAESA does not allocate funds to basic needs such as health or electrical infrastructure, which require millions of dollars annually to operate effectively. Instead, the funds are kept in external accounts or directed towards projects that do not directly benefit the Cuban population. This situation creates a glaring contrast between the wealth of the conglomerate and the crisis the country is facing.
How is GAESA financed and what implications does this have for the Cuban economy?
GAESA receives funding from the Cuban government and benefits from a scheme of subsidies and tax evasion, which allows it to operate as an independent and powerful entity within the Cuban economy. This structure reinforces its economic power outside the official system, and its lack of transparency and accountability raises concerns about equity and the efficient use of national resources.
What is GAESA's role in the economic and services crisis in Cuba?
GAESA, by concentrating economic resources without redistributing them to alleviate the critical situation of basic services, contributes to the structural impoverishment of the country. While the military conglomerate accumulates capital, Cubans face blackouts, shortages of medicines, and inadequate health services, highlighting a management model that prioritizes currency control over social welfare.
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