Daughter of Former Cuban VP Linked to Exclusive Havana Restaurants, Raising Questions of Privilege
A new report reveals a potential conflict of interest involving Cristina Lage Codorniú, daughter of former Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage Dávila, and her alleged ownership stake in a group of upscale Havana restaurants, fueling debate over economic disparities on the island.
A recent investigation by journalist Mario J. Pentón, published by Martí News, alleges that Lage Codorniú, along with her husband Orlando Alain Rodríguez Leyva, are the owners of Group Tentacioones SRL. This company is reportedly connected to several exclusive dining establishments in Havana, including Sensacioones, Woow, and Nao Habana, as well as the food delivery service IFood.
The report highlights a stark contrast between the luxury offerings of these restaurants – with menus priced in dollars – and the economic realities faced by the majority of Cubans. According to the investigation, the establishments employ over 40 people. While the company maintains a website, it deliberately obscures ownership, presenting the businesses as “the realized dream of a family passionate about hospitality and Cuba’s rich gastronomic heritage.”
Evidence linking Lage Codorniú to the restaurants includes her presence in Instagram publications associated with the establishments. However, as Pentón points out, there is no publicly available official documentation confirming her ownership, a situation attributed to the “opacity” of the Cuban system. Cubanet was the first to report on the properties linked to the former executive’s daughter.
Lage Codorniú, a graduate in law and a copyright manager according to her own social media postings, reportedly possesses a Cuban passport with a U.S. visa and frequently travels to the United States and Europe, sources cited by Martí News indicate. This mobility and potential business success stand in sharp relief to the economic struggles of ordinary Cubans.
The investigation frames this information within the context of Carlos Lage’s political downfall in March 2009. He was dismissed by Raúl Castro following accusations of succumbing to the “honeys of power.” The report suggests a pattern of privilege and the emergence of a new business elite with historical ties to the Cuban regime.
The investigation further underscores the growing gap between those with connections to the government and the broader population grappling with economic hardship. Martí News reports that Cristina Lage Codorniú declined to respond to a request for comment. The report also touches upon the business ventures of other family members of Carlos Lage, adding to the broader discussion of power, privilege, and economic opportunity within the Cuban system.
