Cuba summons Mexican businessman to appear in corruption probe, warns of further measures

HAVANA – Cuba has summoned a Mexican businessman in connection with a corruption investigation, echoing previous cases where foreigners were charged in absentia and had their local businesses seized.

The government's Official Gazette says Alfredo Jaime Capetillo has until Wednesday to present himself to authorities.

The Gazette says the 57-year-old Mexican national is accused of bribery, but does not give further details. It adds that if he fails to appear, officials will take further, unspecified steps.

Capetillo's whereabouts are not immediately clear. Phone calls to the Panama offices of his company, International ABC Import-Export, were not answered Monday.

Authorities have used the Gazette before to announce graft investigations targeting foreign business owners, such as Chilean brothers Max and Marcel Marambio.

Both were later sentenced in absentia to long prison terms.