A Cuban court has sentenced a Chilean businessman to 20 years for fraud and bribery.

Max Marambio was a longtime friend of Fidel Castro who became a prominent businessman in Cuba.

The Communist Party newspaper Granma says a 15-sentence has also been given to Alejandro Roca Iglesias, who was removed as food minister in March 2009.
Granma said Thursday that the court held that the men deserved stiff sentences because of "considerable damage caused by the accused to the national economy." It said prosecutors presented compelling evidence, but without giving specifics.

Marambio's Rio Zaza company made juices and other products that were ubiquitous on the island.