For Gladys Bejerano, Comptrellor General of Cuba, the most noted corruption case in the country in decades, that of former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Economy Alejandro Gil, felt like a “treayal.”
The top auditor of ministries and state companies of the socialist country highlights in an interview with EFE the “connotations” of the scandal, becoming the first senior Cuban official to talk about Gil since the investigation was announced two months ago.
“It hurts and hurts a lot because one thinks as a companion – and the people, as a Cuban – that a person who has been at that level, who has been handling the situations, the sacrifices that have had to be made,.. That he doesn’t have an attitude in correspondence, one really feels it as a betrayal, as something that is not the right thing, and that’s how we all feel. But there is moral and there is courage to face it,” he says.
Bejerano, 77, has been in charge of the Office of the Comptroller General and twenty years old. He advocates extracting “teachings” from this “sadly negative lesson.”
Gil was dismissed as Minister of Economy on February 2 without public explanations and on March 7 the president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, announced that he was accused of “serious errors.” He spoke, without details, of “corruption”, “simulation” and “insensitivity.”
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“Every time there has been an event, it has been made public. I can assure you that,” says this member of the central committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC, the only legal one), convinced that “sooner than later and to the extent of being objective” “all the information” will be provided.
He emphasizes that the Cuban system does not minimize corruption “neither for the amount nor because it is from below or above,” although he understands that this case has “more meaning.” He clarifies that the investigation into Gil did not start from the Office of the Comptroller General.
Bejerano recognizes that the crisis has increased corruption in Cuba somewhat because “there is a greater need” and a shortage of “everything,” although it “does not justify.” Some people, he points out, “give in to the black market” and others take advantage, “even cruelly.”
It indicates that 76% of the illegalities detected occur “at the base level” and that its “battle” is to reduce them to “zero”, for a question of “principles” and “convictions” of the revolution.
“People don’t fall into parachute corruption. It’s a process: corruption is decomposition. It is a process of loss of values, of self-esteem, of self-respect (…). There are others that are for self-sufficiency, for vanity, for arrogance,” he describes.
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Bejerano admits that 23% of the country’s control systems have deficiencies, mainly due to lack of technical or human capabilities (only 60% of the positions of the Office of the Comptroller General are filled): “The controls are not at the level” that the Comptroller’s Office wants and that the country, the Government and the PCC need, he says.
He also explains that the GAESA business conglomerate, of the Armed Forces, is not under his supervision. This state group – which includes telecommunications, almost the entire tourism sector, remittances, import and distribution firms, banks, gas stations, real estate and other businesses – is the main contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP).
He argues that GAESA has “superior discipline and organization” for its decades of business experience and that the Office of the Comptroller’s Office concentrates “forces” where “advances” are needed.
About the link between corruption and the growing inequalities in the country, Bejerano links it to the emergence of the private sector and points out that some people have more because they work and “have results,” but believes that there are also “illegalities.”
“We are not going to admit either state or private individuals who commit such crimes and who offend and mistreat the people. That can’t be allowed: it’s not what we want, it’s not the model. We want honest, fighting and hardworking people to be able to have their business in order, fulfilling their obligations to the treasury, to society,” he replies.
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Regarding the execution of the budget, also the competence of the Comptroller’s Office, it goes on the set that so far this year “income was fulfilled” and “expenses were reduced.” “There is a behavior, we could say, favorable,” he says, although he often points out that “it is not that the problem is already solved” because the public deficit is “quite high.”
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
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UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
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“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
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According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
