The United States government has intensified its criticism
of the Cuban regime, asserting that the true political and economic control of
the island rests with the Business Administration Group S.A. (GAESA), a
business conglomerate managed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces, which it
attributes with dominance over the country's main productive sectors.
According to statements made on June 2, 2026, by Secretary
of State Marco Rubio, GAESA concentrates a significant portion of Cuban
economic activity through its participation in strategic industries such as
tourism, fuel distribution, and mining. According to Washington's position,
this military conglomerate wields decisive influence over the administration of
the national economy and the decision-making processes of the Cuban state.
Rubio stated that this structure has allowed the resources
generated by these sectors to remain under the control of the Armed Forces,
instead of translating into greater benefits for the Cuban population, which
continues to face economic hardship, shortages of basic goods, and limitations
in various services.
In a new statement, the State Department broadened its
criticism, asserting that the Cuban government has also developed a
decades-long strategy to promote leftist ideologies and so-called Third
Worldism within the United States. According to the department, Havana has
sought to exert influence through various political, academic, and social
mechanisms, with the aim of strengthening movements aligned with its political
vision.
These accusations are part of a broader stance by the U.S.
administration regarding Cuba's role in the region and internationally.
Washington maintains that the Cuban government has pursued a policy of
ideological projection beyond its borders, while continuing to question the
political and economic model currently in place on the island.
For its part, the Cuban government has repeatedly rejected
these accusations, arguing that they are part of a pressure campaign waged by
the United States to justify maintaining economic sanctions and hardening
bilateral relations. Cuban authorities have also defended the role of
state-owned and military enterprises as part of their economic model.
These new statements reflect the persistent climate of
confrontation between Washington and Havana, a relationship marked by decades
of political differences, trade restrictions, and mutual accusations of
interference, security, and international influence.