GAESA: The Military Empire That Runs Cuba’s Economy

Who really controls Cuba’s economy—and what does that mean for the country’s future?

 

Join us for:

GAESA: The Military Empire That Runs Cuba’s Economy
Inside the economic structure sustaining authoritarian power in Cuba and its connection to Venezuela
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
 SIPA 2 Room 102 – 1st Floor

 

New research from the Miranda Center for Democracy reveals the extraordinary scale of GAESA, including at least $17.9 billion in assets and influence over an estimated 70% of Cuba’s economy, with much of its operations beyond public oversight.

The discussion will also explore how elements of Cuba’s military-economic model were replicated in Venezuela, and why dismantling these structures could be critical to any credible democratic transition.

 

Hosted by:

Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy
The Institute for Cuban Studies at the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs
The Miranda Center for Democracy 
The International Republican Institute 

 

Speakers include:

Opening Remarks: Dr. Brian Fonseca, Director, Vice Provost for Defense & National Security Research; Director, Jack D. Gordon Institute of Public Policy
Juan Antonio Blanco, Cuba Siglo XXI
Emilio Morales, President & CEO, Havana Consulting Group
David Smolansky, President & Founder Miranda Center for Democracy
Sebastian Arcos, Director of the FIU Institute for Cuban Studies, Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs
Closing Remarks: Dr. Antonio Garrastazu, Sr Director for Latin America & the Caribbean, International Republican Institute (IRI)