The United States arrested the sister of a Cuban official who presides over a vast, Washington-sanctioned Cuban conglomerate of military-run businesses on the island, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Adys Lastres Morera is the sibling of the executive president of GAESA, short for Grupo de Administración Empresarial, or “business administration group.” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed in a May 21 statement that Morera, who was living in Florida, is in U.S. custody and awaiting deportation proceedings. U.S. officials believe Morera’s presence threatens U.S. interests and undermines American foreign policy.
Why it matters: Morera’s arrest comes as the Trump administration has repeatedly exerted pressure on Cuba to agree to sweeping economic and political changes on the Caribbean island. It has also openly discussed toppling Cuba’s government. Her seizure is the latest development in the White House’s push toward a Cuba end-game.
What happens in Cuba could radically alter the U.S. business relationship with its longtime regional adversary. Alternatively, Cuba could be the next target for the Pentagon after operations in Venezuela and Iran. If the Cuba crisis unravels further, some experts believe, it could unleash a fresh wave of migration toward the U.S. mainland.
Morera was managing real-estate assets while allegedly “aiding Havana’s Communist regime,” Rubio said. Her sister is Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera. She is described by Cuba’s government as GAESA‘s “Brigadier General.” Cuban officials in Washington, London and Rome did not immediately respond to a comment request about the allegation.
Speaking to reporters in Miami on May 21, Rubio said that Cuba poses a “national security threat” to the U.S. and that the likelihood of a peaceful agreement between the longtime foes is “not high.” Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez pushed back and accused Rubio of “lies” and said the island has never posed a threat to the U.S.
In other recent U.S.-Cuba developments: