Cuba “Juice” Affair Ante Rises
HAVANA TIMES, Aug. 14 – The case of Chilean businessman Joel Max Marambio, wanted by the Cuban authorities to answer in a process dealing with the Río Zaza joint venture, could be taken to the Paris International Court of Arbitration, affirmed his lawyer, Juan Pablo Hermosilla, noted IPS.
The Chilean general manager of the firm, Roberto Baudrand, who worked for Marambio, was found dead in his apartment on April 13 in Havana.
Rio Zaza had a virtual monopoly on selling packaged fruit juices within Cuba. After the death of Baudrand, the product suddenly disappeared from Cuban supermarkets, bars and restaurants. No explanation was forthcoming.
On July 20 the Ministry of Interior issued a summons for Marambio in connection with serious irregularities including bribery, embezzlement and fraud at Rio Zaza.
Marambio, with long-time connections with Cuba’s top leadership, reportedly has numerous holdings in Cuba that could be in jeopardy since he refused to appear after the summons.
That’s true. Many started out as juices but a few years ago became nectars.
Most of the Rio Zaza juices were really nectars – with lots of added sugar. I don’t recall a Guava in that line.
Oddly, the shops still seem to carry Rio Zaza tomato juice ! I can only guess that they hd large stocks somehow.
Too bad, the Mango and Guava where the best I have ever had! Just pure juice!