The General Customs of the Republic must shield the borders against new illicit activities

Some of the projections of the General Customs of the Republic (AGR) for 2025 are: to strengthen the confrontation system, to consolidate aviation procedures to prevent the occurrence of illegal acts, and to improve processes for the simplification of procedures.

In the annual balance of the agency, the member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz -who was accompanied by the First Secretary of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez- said that they are in line with the priorities of the Government to correct distortions and boost the economy.

Other actions are aimed at implementing improvements in the Customs Single Window, extending the automatic clearance of non-commercial cargo at all airports where conditions are created by freight forwarders, perfecting the work system in search of greater efficiency of management processes, and advancing in digital services, ensuring cybersecurity and technological supports.

In the meeting, which was attended by Yudí Rodríguez Hernández, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee and head of its Department of Attention to Services, and Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, deputy prime minister, and the head of the AGR, Nelson Cordovés Reyes, meant that the border recorded in 2024 an increase in transit through the green channel, due to tariff exemption measures, 35 cases of drug trafficking, a significant number of weapons, and more than 300 products in smuggling activities were detected.

Yosvany Bárcena González, General Director of Customs Processes, emphasized that work is being done to increase canine techniques with the preparation of human resources and the sustainability of technical means to deal with illegal activities at the border.

David Fernández, Director of Technology and Infocommunications, mentioned the incorporation of artificial intelligence methods in image recognition techniques and the use of chatbots.

The Prime Minister referred to the complex scenario experienced in 2024, and what may happen in the coming years, so the work of Customs must be focused on strengthening controls at the country's borders. "These are times not to trust", he emphasized.

He remarked that the fight against new types of illegal activities, including drugs, must be strengthened and highlighted the irreplaceable role of men and women at the border, with the support of technology.

The Head of Government said that work must continue to be strengthened to prevent smuggling of products such as tobacco, rum, patrimonial pieces and money.
He added that there are people who use the benefits of tariff exemptions for commercial purposes, for which reason Customs must step up the fight against those who use these measures to make a profit.

Marrero Cruz indicated that the new facilities for the importation of vehicles and the processes carried out in this sense by the non-state management forms must be complied with.

He ordered to be strict against criminal acts and corruption, insisted on the need for joint work with the Ministry of the Interior, and acknowledged the performance of this agency in the year that ended. (Source: Granma)