In a revealing interview with CiberCuba, Leydis Aguilera, a Cuban-origin Uruguayan lawmaker, exposed the military conglomerate GAESA for receiving Conaprole brand powdered milk from Uruguay and selling it to Cubans in dollars amidst the island's severe humanitarian crisis.
"Despite the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, the government is selling the milk to Cubans in dollars. It's GAESA that gets it and sells it for dollars," stated Aguilera. She became a substitute member of the Uruguayan Parliament on March 10, 2026, making history as the first Cuban-origin legislator in that chamber.
Aguilera pointed out that Uruguay's left-wing parties are aware of GAESA's existence and that the Uruguayan government is informed about its dealings with the Cuban regime. "We've reported this, and yes, the Uruguayan government is aware," emphasized Aguilera, who is part of the National Party and coordinates its Migratory Affairs Commission.
According to Aguilera, Uruguay sent 20 tons of powdered milk to Cuba as a humanitarian donation, coordinated with Mexico, but the final destination of this shipment remains unclear. "We still don't know what's going to happen," warned the lawmaker.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Mexican humanitarian aid, coordinated with Uruguay, has been classified as secret by the Mexican government for the next five years.
Uruguay's Deputy Foreign Minister Valeria Csusaki confirmed in April that the 20 tons had not yet arrived in Cuba, as reported by La Diaria.
For Aguilera, these operations are unacceptable. "It's all quite murky, and it's something we need to denounce and monitor closely."
In 2025, Uruguayan exports to Cuba totaled $8.6 million, with 74% being Conaprole dairy products.
In Cuban stores controlled by GAESA, a 25 kg bag of Conaprole powdered milk was priced at $243, an unaffordable amount for most Cubans, who earn wages in pesos.
GAESA, a military conglomerate founded by Raúl Castro, controls at least 40% of Cuba's economy and possesses liquid assets estimated at over $18.5 billion—enough to cover the island's annual food imports for more than nine years.
Nevertheless, seven out of ten Cubans skip at least one meal daily, while CIMEX, a GAESA subsidiary, prioritizes selling basic goods in foreign currencies, which the average Cuban cannot afford.
Aguilera, a vocal critic of Uruguay's Broad Front for its ties with the Cuban regime, emphasized the importance of keeping these denunciations active. "Certain actions are necessary to move toward freedom and democracy."
Understanding GAESA's Influence and Uruguayan Milk Transactions
What role does GAESA play in the Cuban economy?
GAESA, a military conglomerate founded by Raúl Castro, controls about 40% of the Cuban economy and has significant liquid assets, making it a powerful entity in the country's financial landscape.
Why is the sale of Conaprole milk in Cuba controversial?
The sale is controversial because the milk, intended as humanitarian aid, is being sold in dollars by GAESA, making it unaffordable for most Cubans and exacerbating the island's humanitarian crisis.
What has been the Uruguayan government's response to this issue?
Uruguayan authorities, including Deputy Foreign Minister Valeria Csusaki, have confirmed the delayed arrival of the aid in Cuba, but the government is aware of the situation and its complexities.