The official newspaper The Artemisian has reported a new case of corruption: an embezzlement of 21 million pesos in the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM).
According to the source, the Warehouse Manager of the ZEDM’s Base Business Unit (UEB) took advantage of his access to the accounting system “Sinscont5” to manipulate inventory records and appropriate resources destined for the energy sector.
The official managed to divert a total of 21,127,548 CUP in money and resources that would serve to improve the Cuban energy infrastructure at a time of major blackouts caused by the poor condition of the power plants and the lack of fuel.
Authorities recognize “a level” of corruption in Cuba and “weaknesses” in its control
The crime also involved three specialized electrical linemen from the same unit, who used state vehicles to transport and sell the products on the black market.
Thirteen people were charged with the crimes of falsifying bank and commercial documents, embezzlement, failure to protect the assets of economic entities, receiving stolen goods and theft.
The sentences requested by the prosecutors range from eighteen to eight years of imprisonment in five cases; for six defendants, correctional labor without confinement; and for two, correctional labor.
The Artemisa Electric Company said it had taken “measures” to correct the deficiencies that led to the incident.
