HAVANA, July 20 (Reuters) - Cuba has accused Chilean businessman Max Marambio, a former close friend of Fidel Castro, of bribery, fraud and other crimes, and summoned him to appear before investigators in a high-profile corruption case
According to a decree published on Tuesday in the island’s Official Gazette, Marambio must appear on July 29 or face action that lawyers say could include an extradition warrant issued through Interpol.
Marambio had a joint venture with the Cuban government known as Rio Zaza, which produced fruit juice, milk and other products but is being investigated for any irregularities.
The case took a dramatic turn in April when Marambio’s local manager, Chilean Roberto Baudrand, died suddenly in his Havana home due to what Cuban authorities described as a fatal mixture of alcohol and drugs.
He had been questioned by Cuban investigators and ordered not to leave the country.
A ruling on whether Baudrand’s death was an accident, suicide or something else has never been disclosed.
The Official Gazette citation said Marambio is also accused of embezzlement and falsifying banking and business documents.
Marambio was the bodyguard of Chilean President and Cuban ally Salvador Allende, who died in a 1973 coup.
Marambio went into exile in Cuba, where he became close friends with Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
His memoir, "Yesterday’s Weapons," was presented with great fanfare two years ago at Havana’s annual book fair.
The Rio Zaza case is one of several high-profile business cases under investigation in Cuba, where President Raul Castro has ordered a crackdown on corruption.
Cuban civil aviation head Rogelio Acevedo, who fought alongside Fidel Castro in the Cuban revolution, was sacked in March in a case widely believed linked to the crackdown.
