 "People stand at the entrance of the courthouse where Cuba's former Economy Minister Alejandro Gil stands trial on espionage charges, Havana, Cuba, November 11, 2025. Image Credit: Reuters")
Cuba’s former economy minister Alejandro Gil Fernández was sentenced to life imprisonment for spying and espionage, a highest court of Cuba said on Monday. The Supreme Popular Tribunal said in a statement that the former Minister also received a second sentence of 20 years in prison after being found guilty in a separate trial of other crimes including bribery, falsification of documents and tax evasion.
Gil was the country’s economy minister and looked after the economics of the country being closest to President Miguel Díaz-Canel until he was removed from his post. Seeing his dedication towards his work ethics, he was also appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister.
The court did not disclose the incident or details for what Gill was spying for. After his dismissal from the post of minister, the Cuban leader said that he had some serious charges of corruption and these activities will not be tolerated.
Leak of sensitive information
Gil’s case is the highest profile among officials who have fallen from grace since 2009, when then-Vice President Carlos Lage and Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque were dismissed. Their case involved leaks of sensitive information, although they were not sentenced.
Et tu brutus
Gil was considered as the most reputed face of the public. He managed the monetary funds and major reforms in 2021 in Cuba, including trying to unify the country’s currency system.
The highest court said that Gil used the government powers inappropriately and “abused the powers granted to him” for personal gain. He was accused of receiving money from foreign firms and banks and used to bribe other officials.
He backstabbed his own authorities which symbolised ultimate betrayal among his trusted partners.