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.”
Trump plans permanent federal cuts amid partial government shutdown
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is planning permanent cuts to the federal government as a result of the partial shutdown caused by disagreements between Democrats and Republicans.
The Republican administration also stated that it intends to slash billions of dollars in federal funding to several Democratic-led states. Trump shared on his social media platform Truth Social that he held a meeting with Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to discuss the planned cuts.
Approximately 750,000 federal employees have been affected since October 1 due to the government shutdown. “I will meet today with Russ Vought to determine which of the many Democratic agencies—most of which are political scams—should be cut, and whether these cuts will be temporary or permanent,” Trump wrote.
“I cannot believe the far-left Democrats have given me this unprecedented opportunity,” he added, referring to the Congressional deadlock.
During the political crisis, Trump has adopted a mocking tone, targeting opponents such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their quiet and swift way of wanting America to be great again,” he added.
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The partial government shutdown began Wednesday, following the end of the U.S. fiscal year without a budget extension. Republicans are pushing to continue public spending until November 21.
Trump administration warnings prompt Bad Bunny to skip U.S. stops on World Tour
Puerto Rican rapper and reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny, one of the most-streamed artists in the world, recently announced that his world tour will not include the United States due to concerns over potential immigration raids during his concerts.
The warning comes after a U.S. government official indicated on Wednesday that immigration authorities could conduct raids during the next year’s Super Bowl, following the announcement that Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show.
Since returning to office in January, former President Donald Trump has launched a strict immigration agenda, promising to deport millions of undocumented individuals residing in the United States.
“There is no safe place for those who are in this country illegally. Not at the Super Bowl, not anywhere else,” said Corey Lewandowski, advisor to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “We will find them. We will arrest them. We will detain them and deport them,” he added during a podcast on Wednesday with conservative influencer Benny Johnson.
Due to these risks, Bad Bunny confirmed that his U.S. dates are canceled, prioritizing the safety of fans and concertgoers who could be affected by immigration enforcement.
Trump pledges to restore ‘Warrior Spirit’ of U.S. military in rare meeting with Top Officers
President Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to “revive the warrior spirit” of the U.S. armed forces that “won and built this nation,” during a speech before top military leaders outside Washington, D.C.
“Together, in the coming years, we will transform our armed forces into something stronger, tougher, and faster,” Trump told U.S. generals and admirals gathered at an unusual meeting in Quantico, Virginia.
Earlier, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth said at the same meeting that the U.S. military must be reformed to end “decades of decline,” which he attributed to diversity policies.
In this rare gathering of senior commanders summoned from bases around the world, Hegseth declared the end of “ideological trash,” citing concerns about climate change, harassment, “toxic” leaders, and promotions based on race or gender as examples.
“We will end the war on warriors,” emphasized Hegseth, using the new terminology adopted by the Trump administration.
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According to Hegseth, this new “warrior mindset” means the military will return to recruitment and training standards based on physical endurance.
“I want to be very clear: this is not about preventing women from serving,” he insisted. “Our female officers are the best in the world, but when it comes to jobs requiring physical power for combat, standards must be neutral and high,” he explained.
“If women can achieve it, excellent. If not, that’s just how it is,” he added.
