On Wednesday, the People's Municipal Court of San Antonio del Sur in Guantánamo province conducted two high-profile trials involving four individuals accused of misappropriating goods intended for basic supplies and hurricane Oscar victims.
In the first trial, two employees from Unit 642 of the Wholesale Food Products and Other Consumer Goods Company, who held positions as warehouse manager and brigade leader, were found guilty of diverting 62 kilograms of skimmed milk powder meant for children aged two to six. This milk was supposed to reach the stores in Acueducto and Puriales de Caujerí, according to the state-run newspaper, Venceremos.
Additionally, 388 one-kilogram packages of pasta, intended as relief for the local population, were hidden. The economic value of these stolen subsidized products exceeded 3,000 pesos. Under Article 424, section 1, of the Penal Code, which stipulates penalties ranging from six months to a year of imprisonment, the court sentenced the warehouse manager to a year in prison and fined him 200 quotas of 10 pesos each. The brigade leader was also sentenced to a year of imprisonment.
The second trial involved the head of the Basic Unit of La Carpa, associated with the La Cienfueguera restaurant in Guantánamo city, who illegally sold sacks of flour from donations, as well as rice, peas, and oil, to a local resident. These goods were later discovered in a house in San Antonio del Sur.
Both individuals faced prosecution for misappropriation under Article 424, section 1, of the Penal Code, which imposes penalties of six months to a year in prison. The worker received a one-year prison sentence, while the buyer was given ten months. Due to the crimes occurring during a natural disaster, the court invoked the aggravating circumstance outlined in Article 80, section 1, paragraph d), of the Penal Code. Additional penalties included the revocation of public rights, a travel ban, and prohibition from holding any professional, official, or employment position for the duration of the main sentence, taking into account the administrative responsibilities of the accused.
Both the defendants and the prosecution have the right to appeal the court's rulings. Amid a concerning rise in criminal activity in Cuba, authorities have ramped up the frequency of exemplary trials as a deterrent. Provinces like Santiago de Cuba have conducted several high-profile trials; notably, the People's Municipal Court of Songo-La Maya held four such proceedings in August 2024, focusing on offenses such as attacks on law enforcement officers and illegal cattle slaughtering.
Key Questions About Crime and Justice in Guantánamo
What were the charges against the defendants in Guantánamo's trials?
The defendants were charged with misappropriating goods meant for basic supplies and hurricane victims, as well as illegal sales of donated products.
How did the court penalize the accused individuals?
The court sentenced the main perpetrators to one year in prison and imposed fines. Additional penalties included revocation of public rights and travel bans.