Beer, Charcoal, and Phone Recharges: The Castro Family’s Expanding International Businesses
By Cynthia de la Cantera Toranzo / Norges Rodríguez Alminan | YucaByte.org
In December 2018, La Esencia bar in Havana’s El Vedado district hosted a Friday happy hour known as Tarde de Sol. Tourists and Havana’s social elite gathered as waitresses, adorned in Christmas hats, served buckets of Sol beer, a Mexican lager by Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery, relatively unknown in Cuba until then.
This promotion marked the end of a period of economic relaxation initiated by the Obama administration. During this time, Sol beer became popular through various marketing efforts, including participation in Havana’s International Fair (FIHAV) and sponsorships by well-known artists.
Despite the cautious openness towards private enterprises in Cuba, such extensive advertising campaigns indicated some form of official approval. Marco Jesús Amorós Moreno, a 32-year-old Cuban, was the face of Sol’s promotion in Cuba. He described his role as encouraging people to enjoy Sol beer and share their experiences on social media. Amorós, a close friend of Sandro Castro Arteaga, Fidel Castro’s grandson, benefited from these promotional activities in bars managed by Sandro.
Behind this promotional facade were companies registered in Mexico and Canada, managed by associates of the Cuban elite. These businesses imported the beer into Cuba, operating under the regime’s strict control of imports and exports.
José Israel Adato Steiermann and Héctor Castro Santana are key figures in these international networks, connecting businesses from Mexico and Spain to Cuba. These networks extend beyond beer to telecommunications, legal services, and the trade of charcoal and agricultural products.
José Israel Adato Steiermann’s Operations
Adato founded Dibermex LLC in Florida in 2015, distributing products in duty-free markets and maintaining ties with over 250 suppliers. His family has a history of business in Cuba, dating back to his father’s involvement in the revolutionary government. Dibermex, along with Interglobe, spearheaded Sol’s marketing in Cuba, importing thousands of cases of Miller Lite as well.
Héctor Castro Santana’s European Connections
Castro Santana, Fidel and Raúl Castro’s nephew, oversees businesses from Switzerland to Spain. Companies like Gieinter AG, founded in 1977, engage in trade of industrial products, supporting Cuban entrepreneurs. Castro Santana also operates law firms in Spain, providing legal and investment consulting services.
Charcoal and Slave Labor
Gliola S.A., a Panamanian company, dominates the Cuban charcoal market. Managed by Italians, it exports Cuban charcoal, some produced by prison labor, to Europe. Castro Santana is linked to this network through Gliola SL, which shares an address with his Madrid law firm.
Phone Recharges and Beyond
The Adato family expanded their businesses in telecommunications, becoming significant players in the mobile recharge market through Global Digital Services Dominicana S.A. and MiNumeroLocal. These companies also ventured into parcel delivery and online food sales for Cuba.
Conclusion
The Castro family’s business network spans various industries and countries, reflecting the regime’s strategy to circumvent U.S. sanctions. Despite attempts to contact the involved parties, they remain unresponsive.
For further details, read the full article in English on YucaByte.org, assisted by Google Translate.