The recent appointment of the Cuban nationalized Venezuelan, Leticia Cecilia Gómez Hernández, as Minister of Tourism by Nicolás Maduro has sparked a new controversy regarding the penetration of the Castro regime into the Bolivarian power structure.
A Complex Web of Influence
In the intricate relationship between Cuba and Venezuela, Gómez Hernández's name stands out for her influence and power in the tourism industry. According to Venezuelan investigative journalist Ibéyise Pacheco, the newly appointed tourism minister arrived in Venezuela in 2001 with the current Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, and quickly began to rise within the tourism sector.
Marrero Cruz started his ascent to power as an investor in the Gaviota Group before becoming the president of this tourist enterprise owned by the Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), which is controlled by Cuban military officers. Marrero was appointed as Tourism Minister by dictator Fidel Castro in 2004 and held the position until 2019 when he assumed his current role.
From his influential position as president of Gaviota and a "trusted man" of the Castro clan, comprising military and communist leaders, Marrero Cruz introduced Gómez Hernández to the Venezuelan tourism sector, which was already under the control of the Hugo Chávez regime.
A Steady Climb: From Cuba to Venezuela
From her early days in Margarita, Gómez Hernández earned a reputation as an efficient executor with a strong leadership style, earning the nickname "La Jefa" among the workers of the Hotel Venetur, a complex expropriated from the Hilton chain by Chávez.
This was one of her first significant positions in the Andean country. In 2015, Gómez Hernández took over the management of this hotel, and three years later, her influence had grown so much that she was appointed president of the state-owned company Venezolana de Turismo (Venetur).
Her role extended beyond hotel administration; Gómez Hernández played a crucial part in the strategic tourism decisions of the state of Nueva Esparta, which encompasses the islands of Margarita, Coche, and Cubagua. In 2021, she was promoted to Deputy Minister of International Tourism, consolidating her power within the Venezuelan government.
According to the Venezuelan investigative journalism portal Armando.info, sources within the Ministry of Tourism say that the Cuban serves as the "eyes" within the office for Diosdado Cabello and his wife, Marleny Contreras, a former head of the portfolio.
Cabello has been accused of being one of the leaders of the "Cartel of the Suns," involved in drug trafficking, a lucrative activity favored by the Cuban regime. A 2019 article by Anonimus-Venezuela referenced Cabello's ties with Gómez Hernández and called for an investigation into their financial connections.
The Key Role of Gómez Hernández in Cuba-Venezuela Relations
The influence of Gómez Hernández extends beyond her official positions. Her presence in Venezuela represents a vital link between the interests of the Cuban regime and Chavismo.
Gómez has led initiatives to attract tourism from Cuba to Venezuela, promoting what appears to be business opportunities for both countries but, in reality, seem to be money laundering schemes and evasion of international sanctions, using Cuban citizens who act as "mules" in a highly controlled and monitored "shopping tourism" managed by State Security in Margarita.
The operations directed by Gómez align with the interests of the GAESA conglomerate, the powerful Cuban military entity that monopolizes tourism on the island and extends its reach through agreements and operations in Venezuela.
This monopoly not only serves to capture much-needed foreign currency for the Cuban regime but also ensures control over Cuban citizens abroad, limiting their chances of defection or acting outside state surveillance.
The Control of “La Jefa” and Cuban Influence
The rise of Gómez Hernández to positions of power in Venezuela coincided with the increasing presence of other Cubans in strategic positions within the country. A clear example is the company 1014 GTN Inversiones C.A., founded by Venezuelans but quickly taken over by Cubans connected to the Havana regime.
Economist Teresa Segura Cisneros and pro-government journalist Félix Enrique López Rodríguez are two of these Cubans who, along with Gómez Hernández, manage the flow of Cuban tourists to Margarita under strict supervision.
The operations of 1014 GTN Inversiones reflect a pattern of shady business practices where control and surveillance are the norm. These tourists, guided and monitored at all times, barely manage to fill their suitcases with basic products while the true purpose of these operations seems to be generating foreign currency for the Cuban regime and strengthening commercial ties between sectors aligned with GAESA and Chavismo interests.
The GAESA Connection and the Exchange of Favors
The dominance of GAESA in the Cuban tourism sector is undeniable, and its influence in Venezuela, through figures like Gómez Hernández, reinforces this hegemony. The management of these tourist flows serves the interests of both regimes, consolidating a control system that operates in both Cuba and Venezuela.
The creation of official tourist routes between Cuba and Margarita, promoted by Gómez Hernández according to the independent media CubaNet, is just one example of how these two nations, under their respective regimes, have created a collaboration scheme that goes beyond simple trade agreements.
It is a system of surveillance and control that ensures both tourists and those involved in these businesses are under the constant scrutiny of Cuban state security apparatuses, now operating in Venezuelan territory as well.
Leading in Two Worlds
Born in Cuba, Gómez Hernández has risen through the ranks of the Venezuelan government to become a key figure, not only in the tourism sector but also as another link in the Cuban regime's penetration into Venezuela.
Gómez Hernández is much more than a Minister of Tourism. Her history and career reflect the deep entanglement of the Cuban regime in Venezuela, using tourism as a tool for control and currency capture.
Her ascent to power is a testament to the success of these strategies, which continue to strengthen the ties between Havana and Caracas, always under the shadow of the omnipresent GAESA.
In an environment where few dare to speak out, "La Jefa" continues to dictate the rules, ensuring that the Cuban regime's interests in Venezuela remain protected and expanded.
Understanding the Cuban Influence in Venezuelan Tourism
This section provides answers to some common questions about the implications of Leticia Cecilia Gómez Hernández's appointment and the broader Cuba-Venezuela relationship.
Who is Leticia Cecilia Gómez Hernández?
Leticia Cecilia Gómez Hernández is a Cuban nationalized Venezuelan who has recently been appointed as Venezuela's Minister of Tourism by Nicolás Maduro. She has a significant influence in the tourism industry and a close connection to the Cuban regime.
What is GAESA?
GAESA, or Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., is a powerful Cuban military conglomerate that monopolizes the tourism sector in Cuba and has extended its influence into Venezuela through various agreements and operations.
How does the Cuban regime exert control over its citizens abroad?
The Cuban regime exerts control over its citizens abroad by closely monitoring and supervising their activities. In the case of tourism, operations are managed under strict supervision, ensuring that citizens are limited in their actions and remain under state surveillance.
What role does tourism play in the Cuba-Venezuela relationship?
Tourism plays a critical role in the Cuba-Venezuela relationship as a tool for generating foreign currency and maintaining control over citizens. It also serves as a means for both regimes to collaborate and strengthen their ties through managed and monitored tourist flows.