Cuba’s Hidden Epidemic: White Collar Crimes Plague Island Nation

The Pervasive Nature of Corruption

In a stark admission, Cuban President Raul Castro has addressed the issue of corruption in seven out of every ten public speeches, highlighting the pervasive nature of white collar crimes on the island. According to a recent study, Castro has used phrases such as “those who profit at the expense of the needs of the people” and “those responsible for superficiality…that persists in most of our investments” to describe these offenders.

Characteristics of White Collar Criminals

• A “pattern” of living above their means, with access to luxury cars and spacious homes that are out of reach for the average Cuban citizen.
• Operating in stealth mode, using influential relationships and exploiting the system to remain undetected.
• Their power is not only measured in money but also through their connections.

The Culture of Impunity

A culture of impunity exists on the island, where those who err are seen as “salvageable” and are moved laterally within the workforce. Justice is not uniform across the board, with those who play politics often receiving preferential treatment.

• Laws have been implemented to allow corruption to go unpunished.
• Corruption exists in the halls of power and there is a convenient tolerance for wrongdoing.
• The police and Ministry of Justice are often seen as complicit, with some officers themselves being involved in corruption.

Consequences of White Collar Crime

For many Cubans, denouncing white collar crimes can be dangerous, as remaining anonymous is often the only way to avoid retaliation. A recent poll found that many respondents reported not reporting crimes due to fear of reprisal.

• The issue of corruption and white collar crime has become a contentious issue for religious denominations on the island.
• Protestant pastor Maday Gonzalez from Camagüey struggles with the moral implications, noting that stealing from one’s neighbor is a sin before God.

Root Cause of Corruption

Experts such as Dagoberto Valdés, director of Convivencias magazine, believe that the root cause of corruption is twofold:

• A lack of ethics and morals among citizens.
• Poverty and low wages, which have demoralized society and devalued honest work.

Conclusion

The growth and spread of white collar crimes in Cuba are the result of a broad social tolerance towards theft, poor demarcation between what is public and what is private, and the ineffectiveness of legal institutions under current conditions. As President Castro noted, corruption is “institutionalized” on the island, and will require significant change to eradicate.