Cuban Governor of Cienfuegos Province Resigns Amid Anti-Corruption Campaign

Alexandre Corona Quintero, the governor of the central Cuban province of Cienfuegos, has resigned after recognizing mistakes in his work. His resignation comes as the latest high-profile case in a widespread government anti-corruption campaign targeting public officials who have illegally profited from close ties with the island's fledgling private businesses.

The news of Corona Quintero's resignation was made public in an unusual manner, presented as a resignation in a provincial newspaper rather than the typical script of party and government officials deciding to relieve someone of their official duties. This speaks to the government's ambivalence about publicly linking his dismissal to the ongoing anti-corruption efforts.

The private sector has also found itself at the center of the anti-corruption campaign, as the government tries to enforce tax regulations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Dozens, if not more, private business owners have been prevented from traveling abroad due to unpaid taxes. The uncertainty surrounding the campaign and the government's stance towards the private sector is causing anguish among entrepreneurs, leading some to scale back their investment and expansion plans.

Why this matters: The resignation of the Cienfuegos governor and the broader anti-corruption campaign highlight the challenges Cuba faces as it seeks to balance economic reforms with maintaining state control. The crackdown on corruption and the private sector's role in it underscores the complex relationship between the government and the emerging entrepreneurial class.

While the government has put a lid on the investigation and few details have been made public, Corona Quintero's downfall was widely expected. Social media videos had leaked details of the government's probe, alleging that the governor diverted state resources from a housing project to build a mansion for himself and granted construction contracts to a secret private company he owned. Previous anti-corruption campaigns under Raúl Castro were led by his son Alejandro Castro Espín, but he has disappeared from public view since 2016.

Key Takeaways

• Cuban governor of Cienfuegos resigns after admitting work mistakes.
• Resignation linked to government's anti-corruption campaign targeting officials.
• Private businesses also targeted for unpaid taxes, causing uncertainty.
• Challenges balancing economic reforms and state control in Cuba.
• Previous anti-corruption efforts led by Raúl Castro's son, now absent.