Related videos:
Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera, close friend Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, “El Cangrejo”, grandson of Raúl Castro, crossed the southern border of the United States in 2022 and requested political asylum in that country, as revealed by a report from Martí Noticias.
Jorge Javier arrived in the United States accompanied by his wife and their two children and, despite having been closely associated with the political elite of Cuba and its main repressive body, requested asylum.
The young man, 37 years old, had visited the U.S. as part of the Cuban diplomatic corps. On at least two occasions, as noted by journalist Mario J. Pentón of Martí Noticias, he had accompanied the "Crab," who, in addition to being Raúl Castro's grandson, is his personal bodyguard.
In 2015 and 2021, Rodríguez Cabrera appears in several photos that place him with the regime's leadership in the U.S.
On the first occasion, he appears alongside Castro and his grandson during Raúl Castro's visit to the United States during Barack Obama's administration. On the second occasion, he is at a baseball stadium in New York in 2021.
In the U.S., the friend of the Crab is not just another exile. Official documents from the state of Nevada reviewed by Martí Noticias reveal that the man is manager of Gran Azul LLC., a company founded in November 2024 dedicated to door-to-door services, logistics, car sales, and basic goods. It also offers tourist packages aimed at the island and car rentals in Cuba.
The company also includes Marcel Blanco Fernández as a member, suggesting a possible co-ownership structure.
"Through its social media, there is a notable growth and a significant investment in advertising, featuring promotions by well-known figures in the Cuban-American community in South Florida," acknowledges Martí Noticias.
The proximity to the regime
The researcher Luis Domínguez, from the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, confirmed to the newspaper that “Jorge Javier worked like his father in the diplomatic mail of MINREX. That gave him privileges, but it was his closeness to Raúl's grandson that opened doors for him.”
The relationship between Rodríguez Cabrera and Raúl's grandson was also documented in a video from América TeVé in 2023, where both are seen on a yacht, highlighting the privilege enjoyed by the regime.
The images showcase the luxury of the vessel and the delicacies it offered, far beyond the reach of Cubans who only earn an average salary.
According to family sources cited by Martí Noticias, Nirayna Cabrera Mejía, the mother of the former official, has expressed fear that her son may be deported to Cuba due to his associations with the regime.
The same testimonies confirm that Rodríguez Cabrera's children's mother, Isabean Rapetti, and the children have already obtained permanent residency in the United States.
Rodríguez Cabrera did not respond to the interview requests made by Martí Noticias and deleted his Instagram account. Similarly, Marcel Blanco Fernández, co-owner of Rodríguez's company, blocked attempts to make contact.
Asylum for whom?
The case of Rodríguez is quite different from that of many Cubans who, after having sold their belongings and crossing borders, face a difficult life in the U.S. and an uncertain future.
The Crab's friend, on the other hand, has been able to establish businesses and embark on a prosperous life.
In recent months, several agents and repressors of the regime have been seen in cities such as Miami, causing outrage in the Cuban community in exile.
The U.S. government is intensifying efforts to identify and deport individuals who enter the country concealing their affiliation with the Cuban regime. ICE urges the public to report any information about human rights violators who are on U.S. soil.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Political Asylum of Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera in the U.S.
Who is Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera and why did he seek political asylum in the U.S.?
Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera is a close friend of Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo" and the grandson of Raúl Castro. He applied for political asylum in the United States in 2022 after crossing the southern border of the United States, despite having been linked to the Cuban political elite and its repressive apparatus. His asylum request has sparked controversy due to his connections with figures of the Cuban regime.
What activities does Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera engage in in the United States?
In the United States, Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera is the manager of Gran Azul LLC, a company that offers logistics services, car sales, basic goods, and travel packages aimed at Cuba. The company was founded in November 2024 and shows remarkable growth, with a strong investment in advertising. Additionally, the company also offers car rentals in Cuba, which could indicate a business connection to the island.
Why does the presence of figures associated with the Cuban regime in the U.S. provoke outrage?
The presence of figures linked to the Cuban regime in the United States generates outrage as they are seen as individuals who have participated in or collaborated with a repressive regime, which is perceived as a betrayal of the values of freedom and democracy sought by the Cuban exile community. The U.S. government is ramping up efforts to identify and deport these individuals entering the country while concealing their affiliation with the Cuban regime. The Cuban exile community has expressed its dissatisfaction, demanding that the backgrounds of asylum or refuge applicants be scrutinized.
What is the relationship between Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera and Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro?
Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera is a close friend of Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo". This closeness allowed him to be connected with the Cuban political elite and participate in important events, such as Raúl Castro's visit to the United States in 2015 and a visit to a baseball stadium in New York in 2021. The relationship between them has been documented in images and videos, which demonstrate the access to privileges that are out of reach for most Cubans.
Filed under: