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In the midst of the worst economic and social crisis in decades, power in Cuba does not seem to stray far from the usual surnames. A report by the Wall Street Journal reveals that Raúl Castro's family is consolidating its influence in the upper echelons of the country just as Havana engages in talks with the United States amidst significant tensions.
The research points to a phenomenon that many Cubans have suspected for years: that the succession within the system is not political, but familial. Children, grandchildren, and nephews of the 94-year-old former leader are occupying key positions or gaining prominence in strategic decisions, while the population faces blackouts, shortages, and a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
One of the names that stands out the most is Raúl Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of the historical leader known as "El Cangrejo." According to cited sources, he has been involved in contacts with U.S. officials and has become a trusted figure within the inner circle of power. His relationship with his grandfather is not just symbolic; he acts as an intermediary, controls access, and has influence over sensitive decisions.
Next to him reappears Alejandro Castro Espín, son of Raúl, a general in the Ministry of the Interior and regarded as a "tough" figure within the system. Nicknamed "El Tuerto," he plays a role once again in negotiations with Washington, resuming a prominence he held during the diplomatic rapprochement of 2015.
But the rise is not limited to them. The rapid promotion of Oscar Pérez-Oliva, great-nephew of Raúl Castro, also stands out, as he has moved in just two years from a mid-level position at the Port of Mariel to Deputy Prime Minister and a figure with presidential potential. His recent speech, aimed at attracting investment from Cubans abroad, reflects an attempt to promote an economic opening that contrasts sharply with the everyday reality inside the island.
Behind this family network lies another key element: economic control. Several of these actors are linked to GAESA, the military conglomerate that dominates strategic sectors such as tourism, foreign currency, and fuel. Analysts cited in the report assert that this group controls a significant portion of the national economy, consolidating a model where political and economic power is concentrated in the same hands.
Meanwhile, the country is facing a critical moment. The energy crisis has brought a significant portion of economic activity to a standstill, and scarcity is affecting millions of families. In this context, discussions with the United States are occurring under the threat of new pressures, including measures that could further worsen the internal situation.
For many observers, what emerges is not a transition, but a disguised continuity. “The future of the country lies with that family,” warns a Cuban journalist quoted by the newspaper, who goes so far as to describe the system as a kind of “monarchy.”
In a country where more and more Cubans are asking themselves how to survive or how to emigrate, the report presents a striking image: while the crisis tightens its grip on the population, those in power continue to stay at home.
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