Cuba has defended its military-run business conglomerate, GAESA, insisting it plays a vital role in the country's economy, despite mounting U.S. sanctions.
In a statement on Tuesday, Havana rejected allegations from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration that the group secretly hoards profits for the military and elite.
Officials say GAESA has instead contributed to Cuba's economic and social development and dismissed corruption claims as an attempt to mislead the public.
The United States has stepped up pressure on Cuba in recent weeks, tightening sanctions and targeting key sectors in an effort to force political change.
While Cuba maintains GAESA is a legitimate part of the state, external estimates suggest the conglomerate controls between 40 and 70 percent of the economy, including many of the country's major hotels.
The US sanctions are already having an impact as several hotel chains, including Canada's Blue Diamond and Spain's Iberostar, have begun cutting ties with GAESA-linked properties to avoid penalties.
The measures have also hit tourism, with airlines scaling back flights amid fuel shortages and declining visitor numbers, adding further strain to Cuba's struggling economy.
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