Asturian entrepreneur and communicator Coque Yustas, founder of the podcast El Inconformista, recently shared a video on Instagram where he elaborates on how the business conglomerate GAESA operates as a tool for the Castro elite to enrich themselves at the expense of the Cuban populace.
In the nearly three-minute video titled "GAESA: How the Castros Plundered Cuba," Yustas raises a critical question that encapsulates his analysis.
"How is it possible that, despite the inefficiency and disastrous management by the Cuban communist leaders, they turned a nation that once ranked among the world's most prosperous into one comparable to the poorest in Africa?"
His answer is straightforward: it's not just incompetence but a deliberate scheme of corruption.
The Hidden Power of GAESA
"The hardship and poverty facing the Cuban people are a result of the military elite of the communist leaders enriching themselves," Yustas states.
He describes GAESA—Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A.—as a "shadow government" that controls 40% of Cuba's GDP without accountability to the National Assembly, the public, or any institution.
"GAESA is the true power in Cuba, removing and appointing ministers as it pleases," he asserts.
A Legacy of Corruption
The conglomerate was established in the 1990s by the Castro brothers, Fidel and Raúl, post-Soviet Union collapse, and was led for 26 years by General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, Raúl Castro's son-in-law, until his death on July 1, 2022.
Yustas likens this situation to hereditary monarchies: "The Cuban communists are like hereditary monarchies, but in a republican form," he notes, mentioning that after Rodríguez López-Calleja, control shifted to Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro (El Cangrejo), who manages affairs from behind the scenes rather than through an official position.
The Hotel Construction Scheme
The Asturian communicator delves into the corruption framework centered on hotel construction: the Cuban state commissions and pays GAESA to build five-star hotels, and the conglomerate retains the funds regardless of tourist influx or hotel openings.
"The business lies in constructing the hotel, not in attracting tourists. They couldn't care less if the hotel never opens," he explains.
Supporting this claim, data indicates that between 2021 and 2023, 36% of all Cuban government investment was directed towards hotel infrastructure, compared to just 1.9% for health and 1.3% for education.
Financial Secrecy and International Pressure
Regarding the destination of the funds, Yustas claims they are handled opaquely and laundered through Panama and the United Arab Emirates, with potential connections to Russia and China.
He estimates that the Castro-aligned clique could have amassed around $18 billion in secret accounts, a figure corroborated by a Miami Herald report in August 2025, based on leaked internal financial documents showing GAESA's millions deposited in banks as of March 2024.
The revelations sparked significant reactions from Cubans in the comments section.
"Since January 1, 1959, the plundering began under the indifferent gaze of some, the applause of many, the disappointment of others, and the servility of the majority," one user commented.
Another added: "The major issue in my country has always been corruption; they are interested only in their personal gain."
Yustas concluded the video expressing hope for international pressure through economic means.
"I hope and believe that Donald Trump will start dismantling the Cuban dictatorship by targeting GAESA," he remarked, referring to the military conglomerate's assets, whose opaque structure in Panama, Cyprus, and Liberia has enabled it to evade international sanctions for decades.
Understanding GAESA's Influence in Cuba
What is GAESA?
GAESA, or Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., is a business conglomerate in Cuba that controls a significant portion of the nation's GDP and operates as a shadow government with substantial influence.
How does GAESA affect the Cuban economy?
GAESA is involved in numerous sectors, including tourism, where it constructs hotels and retains funds, regardless of tourist activity. This diverts resources from essential services like health and education.
What are the implications of GAESA's financial activities?
GAESA's financial activities, including laundering money through international channels, contribute to the enrichment of the Castro regime while the Cuban population suffers from economic deprivation.