The high power of the Cuban regime keeps Miguel Díaz-Canel and Manuel Marrero in Havana, removed from international stages and discussing the defense of sovereignty, while Vice Prime Minister Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga gains visibility outside the island.
On March 27, the Minister of Foreign Trade represented Cuba at the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, where he addressed heads of government and delegations from various countries.
This is not just another diplomatic trip. The presence of Pérez-Oliva in this forum reinforces his profile as an emerging figure within the regime, at a time when external pressures and internal fatigue of the Cuban government are increasing.
Her intervention focused on positioning Cuba as an economic partner and garnering support amidst a profound crisis the country is experiencing, marked by pressure from the United States, with which they are holding discussions on bilateral matters that could shape the nation's future.
"We reaffirm our willingness to work together to contribute, as an observing country, to the strengthening of the Eurasian Economic Union," said the official, highlighting Havana's interest in consolidating its relationship with this bloc led by allies of Russia.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is composed of five member states: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. They are strong governments in sectors such as energy and industry.
During his speech, he emphasized the need to move from declarations to action: “It is necessary to enter a new phase of concretization and implementation of joint projects.”
In that regard, he promoted areas such as energy, the biopharmaceutical industry, food security, and the development of the Mariel logistics hub as a gateway to Latin America.
The importance of this meeting: international projection and role in the transition
Pérez-Oliva's participation in Kazakhstan has implications that extend beyond the economic. Such opportunities position him as a spokesperson for the regime in front of international actors, in contrast to a Díaz-Canel increasingly relegated to internal management and political weariness.
In 2024, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz participated online in the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting, where he called for increased business with Cuba.
In 2025, he assured the Eurasian Economic Intergovernmental Council, also in a message from Cuba, that the island's government maintains a strong commitment to establish itself as a logistical hub for goods from the EEU, with the intention of distributing products to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Pérez-Oliva's journey and his discourse demonstrate the attempt to position Cuba as a useful piece on the global chessboard.
"A more comprehensive and strategic vision of the role Cuba can play as an extra-regional partner is required," said Pérez-Oliva.
However, between the lines, the crisis in Cuba also emerges. The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged "a difficult situation in the economy, especially regarding the availability of fuels," an admission that reflects the real impact of the oil shortage in the country.
At the same time, he tried to send signals of controlled openness by discussing “financially sustainable” projects and those with “high technological content,” as well as expressing interest in digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
All of this contributes to building the image of a leader with a technical profile, negotiation skills, and international projection, precisely at a time when the regime needs new faces to sustain itself.
U.S. Pressure and the Reconfiguration of Power in Cuba
The intervention was also marked by the regime's usual political tone, albeit with a clear objective of uniting support beyond the Western axis.
Pérez-Oliva accused Washington of having "intensified its blockade policy to extreme levels" and warned that Trump aims to "overthrow the Cuban revolution." Additionally, he condemned "the aggression of the U.S. and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Despite that part of his speech, the underlying message points to a different reality. The regime urgently needs allies, investment, and economic oxygen, and to achieve this, it begins to move figures like Pérez-Oliva onto the international stage.
Great-nephew of Fidel and Raúl Castro, with experience within the economic framework of GAESA and a less tarnished profile than other leaders, the Deputy Prime Minister is emerging as a key figure in the current political landscape.
His presence in Kazakhstan not only addresses the economic agenda but also reflects a political positioning strategy.
Amid the pressure from the Donald Trump administration and ongoing negotiations with Washington, the contrast is becoming increasingly evident: while Díaz-Canel is losing prominence, Pérez-Oliva is starting to occupy spaces that hint at a possible redesign of power in Cuba.
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