Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis issued an official statement on Friday, commending the federal arrest of Adys Lastres Morera. Adys is the sister of Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, the CEO of GAESA, a Cuban military conglomerate.
Adys Lastres Morera was apprehended in Miami by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after her permanent residency was revoked following a direct order from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio identified her as a relative of the top executive of the military-controlled financial conglomerate.
Rubio declared that GAESA "embezzles millions intended for aid to the Cuban people at the regime's behest," highlighting that Adys Lastres Morera had been residing in Florida, managing real estate assets while supporting Havana's communist regime.
Official documents reveal that the detainee was listed as a manager or registered agent for at least two real estate firms in Florida: REMAS Investments LLC and Santa Elena Investments LLC, based in Boca Raton.
Milian Orbis publicly thanked President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio for their actions, stating emphatically, "Every dollar that flows to GAESA helps fund the repressive machinery of the dictatorship, from political prisons and state surveillance to military and intelligence networks that threaten freedom just 90 miles from our shores."
The commissioner added, "The same regime that terrorizes the Cuban people should never benefit from the freedoms and opportunities offered by the United States."
Political Impact on South Florida
Milian Orbis emphasized the political significance of the arrest for the South Florida community: "This is precisely why we have been advocating for stricter oversight, transparency, and enforcement regarding individuals linked to the Cuban regime operating in Miami. The Cuban exile community is acutely aware of the suffering inflicted by the dictatorship and the military apparatus that profits from oppression while the Cuban people live in poverty."
Since January 2026, the commissioner has spearheaded initiatives in Miami-Dade to expose gaps in sanctions against Cuba, including a unanimously approved resolution to suspend federal licenses related to the island until comprehensive audits are conducted.
Trump Administration's Maximum Pressure Strategy
The arrest of Adys Lastres Morera is part of the Trump administration's maximum pressure strategy against the Cuban regime, which includes direct sanctions on GAESA and Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera on May 7 under Executive Order 14404.
GAESA controls between 40% and 70% of the Cuban economy and manages up to $20 billion in illicit assets, according to U.S. authorities, with revenues exceeding the Cuban government's budget by more than three times.
Secretary Rubio warned that there would be no safe haven in the United States for foreigners who threaten national security or seek to live lavishly while supporting hostile regimes. He sent a direct message to the regime's leadership: "To the members of the Cuban communist mafia and GAESA, we have a simple message: the appeasement of the past has ended."
The deadline set by Washington for foreign companies to cut ties with GAESA under the threat of secondary sanctions is June 5, 2026.
Understanding U.S. Sanctions on GAESA
What actions were taken against Adys Lastres Morera?
Adys Lastres Morera was arrested in Miami by ICE agents after her permanent residency was revoked by order of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, due to her connection with GAESA and support for the Cuban regime.
Why is GAESA significant in the context of U.S.-Cuba relations?
GAESA is a military-controlled conglomerate that oversees a significant portion of the Cuban economy. It is accused of misappropriating funds intended for Cuban aid and supports the regime's oppressive measures.
What is the Trump administration's stance on GAESA?
The Trump administration has implemented a maximum pressure strategy against GAESA, including sanctions and a deadline for foreign companies to sever ties with the conglomerate, as part of its broader policy against the Cuban regime.