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While millions of Cubans face blackouts, shortages, and an increasingly uncertain future, a reality solidifies in the corridors of power in Havana that many both inside and outside the island perceive as unchanging: the Castro surname continues to shape the direction of the country.
A report from the AFP agency warns that, amidst international pressure and an internal crisis, a new generation directly linked to the historically powerful family is beginning to take on key positions, reinforcing the notion of a dynastic continuity rather than a genuine change.
The most visible figure within the apparatus is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," grandson of Raúl Castro. Although he does not hold a formal position, his presence at key moments —such as the recent discussions with the United States— has raised suspicions about his role as a discreet operator of power. His rise is measured not by titles, but by influence, a recurring pattern within the Cuban system.
In contrast, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, the great-nephew of Fidel and Raúl Castro, represents the institutional face of this new phase. His rapid rise—from minister to deputy prime minister in just a year—positions him as a figure with real political potential, even as a possible successor within an elite that seeks to renew itself without losing control. His technical profile and nominal distance from the Castro surname make him, according to analysts, a key player in legitimizing a transition that essentially does not break with the past.
But if there is a face that has captured public attention, it is that of Sandro Castro. Grandson of Fidel, a nightlife entrepreneur, and an active figure on social media, he has become a controversial character. His statements—such as asserting that "the majority of Cubans want capitalism"—contrast with the official discourse, but also place him at the center of an uncomfortable debate: that of privileges within an elite disconnected from the daily reality of the population.
For many Cubans, seeing Sandro displaying a life of excess while the country is going through one of its worst economic crises in decades reinforces the perception of inequality. For others, it is simply another piece in a communication strategy aimed at projecting a different image of power.
In that framework, Alejandro Castro Espín, son of Raúl Castro, also operates, albeit with much more secrecy. Removed from the media spotlight, but with a significant influence within the intelligence and security services, his figure embodies the most structural continuity of the system: the one that remains unseen but holds the power to decide.
Experts cited by AFP agree that this family network operates as a “fief” within the Cuban State, where power is distributed among visible and invisible figures, but remains within the same circle. “The ultimate fief continues to be that of the Castro family,” stated Ricardo Herrero, an analyst at the Cuba Study Group.
Despite Miguel Díaz-Canel formally holding the presidency, he has even acknowledged Raúl Castro's direct influence in key decisions, including international negotiations. This raises questions about who truly wields power on the island and to what extent there is room for profound changes.
Meanwhile, political and economic pressure is increasing from Washington, with demands for reforms that go beyond the symbolic. However, internal signals point in another direction: not towards a break, but towards a reconfiguration of power within the same surnames.
In today's Cuba, where the average salary barely suffices for survival and thousands of families are separated by migration, the consolidation of a new generation of the Castros does not go unnoticed. More than a mere transition, many see this as confirmation that power, rather than diminishing, is inherited. And that, despite the speeches, change remains an unfulfilled promise.
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