The Cuban Supreme People's Court has scheduled the trial for Alejandro Miguel Gil Fernández, the former Minister of Economy and Planning, to commence on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., according to an official statement released on Monday.
This trial will occur in the State Security Offenses Room under strict confidentiality measures.
The announcement specifies that "for National Security reasons, only the parties involved and those authorized by the court will attend the trial," in compliance with Article 153 of the Cuban Constitution and Article 477.1 of the Penal Procedure Law.
In addition, it was reported that both the defense attorneys and the accused have been granted access to the case files and the prosecution's preliminary conclusions, and the defense has also submitted its conclusions.
This trial marks the first of two legal proceedings against Gil Fernández, with the espionage charge being the most serious, for which the Cuban Prosecutor's Office is seeking a life sentence.
Multiple Charges and an Unprecedented Political Fall
Gil Fernández was removed from his positions as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Planning on February 2, 2024, and just over a month later, on March 7, it was revealed he was under criminal investigation.
According to official reports, the former minister acknowledged "serious allegations" and resigned from the Communist Party of Cuba and his seat in the National Assembly of People's Power.
On October 31, the Attorney General's Office confirmed it had taken public legal action against Gil Fernández and others implicated, following the completion of investigations by the Interior Ministry’s bodies.
The prosecution's statement lists numerous offenses attributed to the ex-minister: Espionage; Embezzlement; Bribery; Tax Evasion; Money Laundering; Forgery of Public Documents; Theft and Damage of Officially Guarded Documents or Objects; Influence Peddling, and Acts Detrimental to Economic Activity or Contracting.
Violation of Classified Document Protection Norms
The prosecution has requested prison sentences "in accordance with the committed acts" and emphasized that its actions align with Article 156 of the Constitution, ensuring due process.
The second trial Gil Fernández will face involves at least 20 other defendants, according to sources close to the case.
In this additional case, the prosecution has demanded a 30-year prison sentence for the former minister, and it is expected to be held in a public hearing.
For the other accused, a minimum of 15 years of imprisonment has been requested.
While the Cuban government has not officially named the other defendants, the independent media outlet 14yMedio has suggested that they might include a National Assembly deputy and a provincial first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC).
CiberCuba attempted to confirm this information with veteran presenter María Victoria Gil Fernández de Ayala, the ex-minister's sister, who stated she was unaware of the identities of the accused group.
Alejandro Gil: From Reformist Hope to Accused Traitor
The case of Alejandro Gil represents one of the most significant downfalls within the upper echelons of the Cuban regime in recent years.
Trained as an engineer, Gil Fernández was once seen as a pivotal figure in implementing economic reforms, though he ultimately became the face of the recent failures of the Cuban economic model.
Under his leadership, the island experienced a marked economic decline, with widespread blackouts, food and fuel shortages, a breakdown of basic services, and a collapse in agricultural and industrial production.
In December 2023, he had to admit before the National Assembly that production levels for various food items not only failed to meet targets but were lower than those in 2022.
Moreover, it was Gil who publicly acknowledged the failure of the so-called "Ordering Task," a monetary restructuring process aimed at unifying exchange rates and reviving the economy, which instead led to an inflationary spiral and a collapse in the population's purchasing power.
A Trial Setting a Precedent
The espionage trial of Alejandro Gil marks a politically and judicially unprecedented moment in Cuba's recent history.
Although the regime has prosecuted high-ranking officials for corruption in the past, this is the first time a former minister faces charges as severe as espionage, with life imprisonment as a potential outcome.
For the Cuban government, this case serves as a "zero tolerance" signal against corruption, but it also exposes deep internal fractures within the state apparatus and the PCC, amid a profound systemic crisis.
As the trial is set to begin on November 11, both Cubans and the international community are closely watching a legal process that, though behind closed doors, could have significant public, political, and economic repercussions.
Key Questions About Alejandro Gil's Trial
What charges is Alejandro Gil facing?
Alejandro Gil is facing multiple serious charges, including espionage, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, and forgery of public documents, among others.
What sentence is being sought for Alejandro Gil?
The Cuban Prosecutor's Office is seeking a life sentence for espionage, and in a separate trial, a 30-year prison sentence for additional charges.
When will Alejandro Gil's trial begin?
The trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Why is Alejandro Gil's trial significant?
The trial is significant because it marks the first time a former Cuban minister faces charges as severe as espionage, highlighting internal fractures within the Cuban regime during a systemic crisis.