Marino Murillo Jorge, the mastermind behind Cuba's controversial economic reforms known as the Tarea Ordenamiento and current head of Tabacuba, was recently seen leisurely walking through Madrid's Plaza de España. This sighting, captured last Saturday, has been reported by Diario de Cuba.
In the photographs, Murillo can be recognized by his salmon-colored polo shirt, stocky build, and graying hair as he navigates the bustling commercial streets of Spain's capital with a calmness starkly different from the turmoil he left behind in Cuba.
Accompanying Murillo in one of the images is Carlos Luis Jorge Méndez, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment. Jorge Méndez, who walks ahead of the group, previously appeared publicly alongside Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," during a media event in June covered by The National.
Diario de Cuba pointed out the irony of Murillo's relaxed presence in Spain, contrasting it with the severe economic crisis resulting from his economic reforms in Cuba. The publication also speculated whether Murillo attended the Silvio Rodríguez concert at the Madrid Arena, which coincided with his visit.
Murillo was the principal architect behind the monetary reform of January 2021, which unified Cuba's dual currency system, removed subsidies, and adjusted prices and wages. This initiative led to rampant inflation, severely diminishing the purchasing power of Cuban citizens.
In October of the same year, Murillo admitted to the National Assembly that an unintended consequence of the reform was the exorbitant increase in essential goods prices. Earlier, in April 2021, he was ousted from the Communist Party's Political Bureau, only to be "recycled" months later as the president of Tabacuba, a position he still holds.
Murillo's visit to Madrid comes at a challenging time for the industry he oversees. The prestigious Festival del Habano, a luxury annual event organized by Habanos S.A. and Tabacuba, was canceled in February 2026 due to the energy crisis, with no new date announced. The 2024 edition was also postponed for similar reasons.
The 2025 event, which did take place, sparked outrage over the stark contrast between luxury humidor auctions, exclusive dinners, and the "Intermediate Night" at Havana's Capitol, while Cubans endured power cuts lasting up to 20 hours daily. President Díaz-Canel was seen enjoying cigars at the event's lavish auction, prompting Silvio Rodríguez to publicly criticize the loss of national dignity in light of the festival's extravagance.
The tobacco sector faces additional challenges following British American Tobacco's recent withdrawal from Cuba, exacerbating an already dire situation marked by outdated equipment, input shortages, and the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Pinar del Río's plantations.
Madrid has increasingly become a favored destination for individuals associated with the Cuban regime, who frequent the Spanish capital while the island's population grapples with shortages, blackouts, and an unprecedented wave of emigration.
The images of Murillo and Jorge Méndez strolling through Madrid's central streets highlight a recurring pattern of privileges enjoyed by Cuba's elite away from the public eye—and away from Cuba itself.
FAQs about Marino Murillo's Visit to Madrid
Who is Marino Murillo?
Marino Murillo Jorge is a Cuban official responsible for designing the Tarea Ordenamiento economic reforms and currently presides over Tabacuba.
Why is Marino Murillo's presence in Madrid significant?
Murillo's relaxed presence in Madrid contrasts with the severe economic crisis in Cuba, highlighting the disparities between the lives of Cuban officials and the general populace.
What challenges is the Cuban tobacco industry currently facing?
The Cuban tobacco industry is dealing with outdated equipment, a lack of inputs, the impact of Hurricane Ian, and the recent exit of British American Tobacco from the market.