An independent journalist exposes serious irregularities, and readers of ‘Cubadebate’ demand explanations about Jorge Enrique Sutil Sarabia’s “mistakes.”
14ymedio, Madrid, November 11, 2026 – Jorge Enrique Sutil Sarabia, governor of Camagüey, submitted his resignation, which was accepted by Miguel Díaz-Canel on Tuesday, according to a statement published in official media. According to the official version, the resignation came “after acknowledging mistakes made in the performance of his duties, incompatible with his responsibilities,” an addition that has not proven sufficient for public opinion.
The public knows so well that the euphemism conceals the word “corruption” that even some comments on the government-aligned Cubadebate are demanding transparency. Everyone still vividly remembers the dismissal of former Minister of Economy and Planning Alejandro Gil in February 2024, which was initially presented as a “reassignment of officials,” but a few days later was announced as the result of “serious mistakes made in the performance of his duties.” The former senior official was sentenced in December 2025 to life imprisonment for espionage and to 20 years in prison in a second trial for economic and administrative crimes.
The former senior official was sentenced in December 2025 to life imprisonment for espionage and to 20 years in prison in a second trial for economic and administrative crimes.
With that memory probably in their minds, citizens have not hesitated to demand clarity in order to prevent speculation. “The reason for the resignation, without euphemisms or shadows. We are not in the 1970s. Now everything is known and will become known in the coming days, but I would prefer to hear the Government’s version,” one reader wrote. “Why isn’t the full story being reported, including the reasons he resigned, so that speculation, lies, etc., from other media outlets can be avoided?” another asked. Another commenter was more direct: “Some time ago, the Social Communication Law was approved, and among its principles it guaranteed citizens the right to informational transparency. However, there is increasingly more secrecy. For some time now, corruption by this official has been denounced on social media. Once again, we are losing the communications war. Credibility remains in crisis,” the commenter lamented.
On social media, independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada, from Camagüey, has claimed the governor’s dismissal as a success resulting from his investigations, which he attributes to the reports he has published about the official. The reporter, now exiled in Mexico, says that a colonel from the province went to Havana to participate in the investigation of Sutil, based on his allegations. “Why was it necessary to bring an investigator from outside the province to join an investigation of this magnitude? Was there distrust about the possibility of independently investigating these events from within Camagüey? Now they will try to prevent all this from turning into a public scandal,” he says.
Tan Estrada maintains that “among the matters under investigation is the fuel allocated to several MSMEs in quantities exceeding established limits,” which was allegedly diverted from public services, including ambulances and taxis for hemodialysis patients. “Amid this scandal, and because of other acts of corruption under investigation that we exposed, the director of Taxis Cuba in Camagüey is also being removed. Another act of corruption uncovered by the commission involves resources belonging to state-owned companies dedicated to producing food and beverages. Certain contracts favored some MSMEs, which ended up purchasing practically the entire production,” he adds.
Tan Estrada identifies the Beverage and Soft Drink Company, the La Vaquita Dairy Industry, and the Meat Industry as entities under investigation. They produced food and beverages but diverted them to private businesses
Tan Estrada identifies the Beverage and Soft Drink Company, the La Vaquita Dairy Industry, and the Meat Industry as entities under investigation. They produced food and beverages but diverted them to private businesses. He also adds that construction materials were diverted, as well as a specific item that “involves the Provincial Department of Community Services. Huge budgets allocated to repairing the vehicle fleet, purchasing spare parts and fuel, as well as resources used to support the private MSME Almaley, linked to that entity, are under investigation.”
The journalist directly names several executives from a variety of sectors, including the cultural sector, through a project of the Provincial Book Center that served to divert “millions of pesos.” “Thanks to my sources for their courage. Several years of investigation and risk, and in the end we achieved it,” he concludes.
According to the official statement, Sutil Sarabia will be replaced by the current vice governor until a new one is elected, a decision that the public seems unable to understand, judging by the comments. “I don’t understand anything. The vice governors, who are the governor’s right-hand people, are somehow supposedly unconnected to the mistakes.”
Sutil Sarabia had held the position since May 28, 2023.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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