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The Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz publicly congratulated Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, nephew of Fidel and Raúl Castro, following his promotion to vice prime minister, whom he described as “a trained individual with all the qualities to take on the new responsibilities assigned.”
The message, posted on the social network X, sparked a wave of critical and ironic reactions. Dozens of users responded by denouncing nepotism and the consolidation of a "family dynasty" in power.
"When you said that he has qualities, you meant that he has relatives in the upper echelons," commented a user.
Another user wrote: “Required qualities: being Raul Castro's grandson,” while others referred to the appointment as “the mafia in action” or “another member of the royal family.”
Pérez-Oliva is the son of Mirsa Fraga Castro and the grandson of Ángela Castro, sister of the deceased dictator, as well as the nonagenarian and retired general of the army.
His rise, which strengthens the presence of the Castro clan in key state positions, occurs amidst the worst economic crisis in decades and increasing public discontent over political stagnation and the lack of transparency in government appointments.
The day before, when announcing the promotion, the Cuban regime stated that it was a decision approved by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and ratified by the Council of State, at the proposal of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
The official, 54 years old, an electronic engineer, will simultaneously maintain his responsibility as Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (Mincex), a position he has held since May 2024, when he replaced the historic negotiator of the regime, Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, who passed away in mid-September at the age of 88.
Before his appointment, the new Deputy Prime Minister held positions as the director of state-owned enterprises and First Deputy Minister of Mincex.
A crucial point in his career was his role as the Director of Business Evaluation for the Mariel Special Development Zone, where he operated under the supervision of the late General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, former son-in-law of Raúl Castro and a key figure in the opaque finances of the Empresa Administrativa de Negocios S. A. (Gaesa).
Although the official is widely praised for his discipline and "mastery of international economic relations" after graduating from the Technological University of Havana (Cujae), his meteoric rise has drawn attention in the context of Cuban bureaucracy.
Her appointment highlights the dominant influence of the Castro family clan and its "heirs" in the upper levels of political and economic power.
The current government of "continuity," formally led by Díaz-Canel, is perceived by analysts as mere theater; they see the designated leader as a "puppet" of the "famiglia," whose true circle of power is preparing to take over.
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