Once known for his grandfather’s authoritarian rule over Cuba, a lesser-known Castro family member has emerged as a crucial figure in high-level negotiations with the United States. This individual, known by the moniker “The Crab” due to his unique six-fingered hand, has caught the attention of top U.S. officials.
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the influential eldest grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, is now in the spotlight. Raúl, who is 94 years old, was recently indicted in Miami on May 23 for his alleged role in the 1996 incident where planes operated by the activist group Brothers to the Rescue were shot down.
Raúl Guillermo holds a significant position overseeing his grandfather’s security, which provides him substantial influence within the Cuban government. Experts note that Raúl Castro continues to wield significant power, even after stepping down as president in 2018 and retiring from official duties in 2021.
“He’s always by Raúl’s side during public appearances,” remarked Dr. William LeoGrande, a Latin America specialist at American University.
Referred to as Raulito, the younger Castro serves as a colonel in Cuba’s Interior Ministry. He was present during a meeting between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and senior Cuban officials, including the Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence.
In a statement following the meeting, the CIA mentioned Raulito’s name prominently, despite him not holding the top official position. The statement conveyed that Director Ratcliffe personally delivered a message from President Trump, expressing the U.S. willingness to engage in discussions on economic and security matters, contingent upon Cuba implementing fundamental changes.
The first approach came in February at an annual conference on the island of Saint Kitts, where Raulito Castro met with advisors to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Miami Herald reported.
Raulito Castro’s late father Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja built the military conglomerate Grupo de Administración Empresarial (GAESA), which the Trump administration says profits off the backs of the Cuban people and accounts for 70% of the country’s hard currency. His mom is Debora Castro Espín, Raul’s eldest daughter.
“Cuba is controlled by GAESA,” Rubio said in a Spanish-language video directed to the Cuban people Wednesday. He called it a “state within a state that is accountable to no one” and “hoards the profits of its businesses for the benefit of a small elite.”
Known as “El Cangrejo” — the “crab” nickname he appears to embrace — Raulito Castro, whose grand uncle is late dictator Fidel Castro, has six fingers on one of his hands due to a congenital deformity.
He also likes the the good life — posting on social media on boats, and jetting to Panama to check on Cuban businesses operating overseas.
It’s “not what you would call a monk’s existence. He apparently likes to live high — not as high as cousin Sandro, grandson of Fidel,” said LeoGrande, referencing the very online Castro descendant known for flaunting his wealth and cigar habit online.
Raulito Castro emerged as a key point of contact in talks where the US would swap economic engagement for a crackdown on helping US adversaries.
The Trump administration needs insiders it can work with, fearing a potential collapse or “failed state” situation off US shores.
Talks have been slow-going, and Cuban government officials have said they fear a US invasion, as a blockade imposed after the US seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has cut off the island’s supply of oil.
“We cannot have these thieves running that island any longer, because we know that they have given a platform to our enemies for years,” fumed Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) on the day of Raul Castro’s indictment. She told reporters the move was “sending a very clear message to [the elder] Raul: Look at Maduro. If you do not want to wind up where he’s at, then go.”
