María Victoria Gil, sister of former Cuban Economy Minister Alejandro Gil Fernández, has raised alarms about her brother's dire physical and mental condition, claiming he has been subjected to torture during nearly two years of imprisonment at Guanajay prison in Artemisa province.
In an audio message shared with journalist Javier Díaz from Univisión, María Victoria recounted a recent visit by a family member who reported that Gil is "barely able to stand and cannot form coherent sentences." She regards this as "clear evidence" of the abuse he has faced.
Initially, María Victoria believed her brother was in a Ministry of the Interior safe house, "living and eating well," dismissing the judicial proceedings as mere theatrics. "For almost two years, I was at ease, thinking this was all a circus... that my brother was safe," she confessed.
However, she now claims to know "the truth": that Gil has endured nearly two years of torture at Guanajay prison, leaving him a "human wreck," akin to someone who has undergone a lobotomy.
Her understanding stems from her niece, Gil's daughter, who visits him for only 15 minutes every two weeks—the maximum allowed by prison authorities. According to her niece, Gil remains silent during these brief encounters, appearing so "destroyed" and "disillusioned" that he can hardly engage in conversation, evidencing substantial deterioration since his incarceration.
On a personal level, María Victoria describes living in a "nightmare," feeling "extremely unwell and deeply saddened." She emphasized that "nobody deserves" what has happened to her brother, stressing, "They have turned him into that human wreck... nobody deserves that, nobody," she said tearfully.
Espionage and Economic Crimes Trial
Alejandro Gil Fernández, once Cuba's Minister of Economy and Planning, was embroiled in a highly publicized trial facing numerous charges, including espionage, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, document forgery, influence peddling, document theft, and violations of classified document regulations, as well as crimes "against economic activity."
Although María Victoria, who has resided in Spain for a decade, admits she lacks detailed knowledge of the case or when her brother might have engaged in such activities due to their limited contact in recent years, she acknowledges that, as the architect of Cuba's economic policy, Alejandro Gil bears some responsibility for the nation's current crisis.
The trial against the former economy minister concluded this Thursday in Havana, conducted behind closed doors, shrouded in secrecy, and devoid of transparency guarantees.
The proceedings, held at the Marianao Court and overseen by the Supreme People's Court, have been "submitted for judgment." The trial unfolded in an environment of absolute secrecy, with restricted family attendance and a complete absence of independent press, further highlighting the opacity of Cuba's judicial system when dealing with "state security" offenses.
According to María Victoria Gil, the two-day trial was held under tight security, restricting both public and media access.
Key Questions About Alejandro Gil's Imprisonment
What are the allegations against Alejandro Gil Fernández?
Alejandro Gil Fernández has been accused of various charges, including espionage, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, money laundering, document forgery, influence peddling, document theft, and violations of classified document regulations, as well as crimes "against economic activity."
What is the current condition of Alejandro Gil according to his family?
According to his sister, María Victoria Gil, Alejandro is in a very poor physical and mental state, barely able to stand or speak coherently, which she attributes to nearly two years of alleged torture in prison.
How has the trial of Alejandro Gil been conducted?
The trial was held in secret, under strict security, and without transparency, with limited family presence and no independent press coverage, reflecting the opaque nature of Cuba's judicial proceedings in cases labeled as "against state security."