Sister of head of Cuban military conglomerate arrested in the US, says Rubio

The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated this Thursday (21) that Adys Lastres Morera, sister of the executive president of GAESA, the business conglomerate controlled by the Cuban military, was arrested by American authorities.

GAESA stands for Business Administration Group. It is an extensive conglomerate of companies managed by the military, widely considered the most profitable and efficient on the island.

GAESA controls many of the Caribbean island's five-star hotels, the largest port in Mariel, the main commercial bank, as well as a vast network of supermarkets, gas stations and shipping companies.

According to Rubio's publication, Morera lived in Florida, where he managed real estate assets and assisted the Cuban regime. The secretary stated that he revoked his permanent resident status.

Adys Lastres Morera is the sister of the Executive President of GAESA, the Cuban military-controlled financial conglomerate that steals millions in aid for the Cuban people at the behest of the regime.

Morera was managing real estate assets and living in Florida, while also...

- Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 21, 2026

Rubio accuses the Cuban regime of enriching itself at the expense of the people and offers help | LIVE CNN

Rubio's accusations
In a five-minute message sent to the Cuban people on Wednesday (20), Rubiu mentioned the group eight times. The Trump administration accuses GAESA of accumulating profits from the country's most valuable industries and using them to benefit the Cuban military and elite.

"The real reason you don't have electricity, fuel or food is because those who control the country looted billions of dollars, but none of it was used to help the people," Rubio said.

The US has repeatedly imposed sanctions on GAESA's businesses, effectively banning any American tourism at hotels owned by the conglomerate.

Cuba denies that GAESA enrichment or corruption are to blame for the current economic crisis and points to recent comments by UN experts that the fuel blockade imposed by the Trump administration has led to "energy shortages", with serious consequences for human rights and development.

Blackout and oil blockade: What is happening in Cuba?

Source: CNN