The Cuban regime announced this Friday the replacement of Gladys Bejerano Portela as the Comptroller General of the Republic, ending her 14-year tenure.
According to the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel, the change is part of the cadre renewal process. Díaz-Canel acknowledged Bejerano's work, who is 77 years old, and her role as the founder of the Comptroller's Office. "Her ethical and revolutionary behavior is an example of a communist militant for everyone," he stated.
He then proposed Mirian Marbán González for the position, who had been serving as the First Deputy Comptroller General since 2018. The announcement was made during a session of the National Assembly, where deputies elected Bejerano's successor. The official portal Cubadebate reported that following Díaz-Canel's "proposal," a vote was held and approved.
Marbán González, 48, holds degrees in History and Accounting and Finance and has been a member of the Central Committee of the Party since 2016. Bejerano, the top auditor of ministries and companies in the country, has been dismissed amid the regime's much-touted campaign against corruption.
Notably, her removal comes two months after she publicly commented on the detention of the former Minister of Economy, Alejandro Gil, who was dismissed in February and is under investigation for corruption charges. Bejerano Portela, who served as Vice President of the Council of State between 2009 and 2019, described the event as a "betrayal" and emphasized that falling into corruption is not sudden but a process of deterioration.
In an interview with the Efe agency, she admitted that times of scarcity and crisis favor illegalities, but she criticized those who take advantage of such moments even "cruelly." "Corruption is decomposition; it is a process of losing values, self-esteem, and self-respect, leading one down that path," she added, noting that some corrupt individuals are driven by "self-sufficiency, vanity, and arrogance."
In recent months, several high-ranking officials have been removed from their positions. In May, the Council of State dismissed Ricardo Cabrisas as Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, although he retained his position as Deputy Prime Minister. Other political figures dismissed include governors, deputy governors, and first provincial secretaries of the Party. It is common practice for the regime not to disclose the reasons for these "thunderings."
Understanding Recent Changes in Cuba's Comptroller General Office
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the recent replacement of Cuba's Comptroller General and related political shifts.
Why was Gladys Bejerano replaced as Comptroller General?
Gladys Bejerano was replaced as part of the Cuban regime's cadre renewal process, according to Miguel Díaz-Canel. However, her dismissal also comes amid ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
Who is the new Comptroller General of Cuba?
The new Comptroller General of Cuba is Mirian Marbán González, who previously served as the First Deputy Comptroller General since 2018.
What was Bejerano's role in the Cuban government?
Gladys Bejerano served as the Comptroller General for 14 years and was also Vice President of the Council of State between 2009 and 2019.
What has been the Cuban regime's stance on corruption?
The Cuban regime has launched a campaign against corruption, but the actual effectiveness and motivations behind these efforts are often questioned. Several high-ranking officials have been removed recently, but the reasons are rarely disclosed.