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This Wednesday, news spread that negotiations for the transition in Cuba are underway, with the dialogue being held between Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro (El Cangrejo) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
El Cangrejo is no longer just the grandson of Raúl Castro. He is now a visible player on the Cuban political scene. His "fame" in Havana and Miami has gradually grown due to sporadic scandals that have caught attention on social media, with reports from the independent press.
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro was born at the pinnacle of power in Cuba. He is the son of Débora Castro Espín and the late general Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, former chief of GAESA, the military conglomerate that controls a significant portion of the national economy.
He is 41 years old, a lieutenant colonel in the Ministry of the Interior, and head of the General Directorate of Personal Security. He is regarded as the right hand of Raúl Castro. He oversees his security and direct access to the Cuban Army General.
These are the specific events that established their fame in Havana and Miami:
- Travel to the United States with a diplomatic passport (2012-2016). He entered New York several times under the cover of the Cuban mission to the UN. While ordinary Cubans are denied the opportunity to travel, Raúl Castro's grandson did so with official privileges.
- Party with Gente de Zona in Varadero (2017) and boat rides with the Gurriel brothers. Videos show him dancing with the duo Gente de Zona. He was no ordinary citizen. He was a high-ranking official of State Security in Cuba.
- Hit-and-Run of Yudelky Peña in Holguín (2022). The young mother was severely injured in Mayarí. Witnesses indicate that the vehicle was driven by Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro. The victim was left with permanent injuries. There was no trial, and the case was hushed up.
- Private flights to Panama (2024-2025). He completed dozens of trips on jets such as the Learjet 55 and Dassault Falcon 900EX. He met with businessmen connected to ventures in Cuba and Venezuela.
- Purchases and properties in Panama (2025). He was seen making million-dollar purchases in Chiriquí. He is also attributed with real estate investments in Coclé.
- Links with Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera (2025). The businessman, arrested by ICE in the United States, was seen with him in photos on a luxury yacht. This person is accused of being the owner of Gran Azul LLC, a shipping, logistics, and tourism company focused on Cuba.
Beyond specific incidents, his usual behavior highlights the stark contrast of Cuba. While the country experiences blackouts and shortages, the Cangrejo enjoys yachts, travel, and access to dollars.
This character navigates among businessmen, artists, and financial operators. All these events occurred under the shadow of GAESA and the protection of the Castro name.
In 2026, his figure gained more visibility. At the funeral of the soldiers who died in Venezuela, the nonagenarian General passed the spotlight to his grandson.
Raúl Guillermo flanked Miguel Díaz-Canel at that event. It was a clear political message when he appeared in an olive green uniform with a dark belt and a visible gun, standing guard and supporting his grandfather.
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