A source close to the family of former Cuban Economy Minister, Alejandro Gil Fernández, revealed to CiberCuba that authorities blocked his daughter, Laura María Gil, from attending her father's trial in Havana. In contrast, his son, Alejandro Arnaldo Gil González, was granted access.
"They allowed the son, Alejandro Arnaldo Gil González, and barred the daughter, Laura María Gil. Unbelievable," the source stated, requesting anonymity for security reasons.
The trial, which commenced on Tuesday in the Courtroom for Crimes Against State Security in the Marianao district of Havana, is reportedly under tight military control and shrouded in secrecy, as reported by independent media outlets.
The Cuban regime justifies the closed-door proceedings on the grounds of "national security reasons."
Laura María, who recently described the charges against her father as "total manipulation," expressed her determination to attend the trial despite the imposed restrictions.
In an audio message circulated on social media, she disclosed that her family learned about the trial date through television and that their communications were restricted on the day of the official announcement.
"Nothing changes my belief that he is not a spy," she declared, defending her father's innocence and vowing to do "everything possible" to support him during the proceedings.
Nevertheless, on Tuesday, she was denied entry to the courtroom amid heightened security measures, which included restricted access, street closures, and surveillance by plainclothes State Security agents.
The trial against Alejandro Gil Fernández, who was ousted in February 2024 and whose fall is one of the most dramatic political downfalls under President Miguel Díaz-Canel's government, involves charges of espionage, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, and forgery of public documents. The prosecution is seeking a life sentence for the former official.
Laura María's exclusion, despite her public defense of her father and her request for a televised trial, underscores the lack of transparency and political control surrounding the proceedings, which analysts view as a reflection of internal fractures within Cuba's power structure.
Laura María Gil and her brother previously worked in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX) in roles related to investment and exports, a situation that had previously sparked accusations of nepotism.
Currently, these developments place the family at the heart of a process intertwining justice, vendetta, and broken loyalties within Cuba's political elite.
Key Questions About Alejandro Gil's Trial
What are the charges against Alejandro Gil Fernández?
Alejandro Gil Fernández faces charges of espionage, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, and forgery of public documents.
Why was Laura María Gil barred from the trial?
Authorities did not permit Laura María Gil to attend the trial, citing national security as the reason for the closed proceedings.
What does the exclusion of Laura María Gil indicate?
The exclusion highlights the lack of transparency and political control surrounding the trial, reflecting internal tensions within Cuba's government.