On Sunday night, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, also known as El Cangrejo and the grandson of former President Raúl Castro, was spotted at a concert by reggaeton artists Dany Ome and Kevincito El 13. The event took place at St. Pauli bar-restaurant in Santiago de Cuba.
Photos of El Cangrejo at the concert were shared on Instagram by the account un_martitodurako8_live_oficial. The images were accompanied by a pointed message: "Even if you arrive hiding at the concert yesterday, you can't escape me, cangreja. And by the way, since I know you'll see this post, tell your grandfather he's a murderer."
Prior to the release of these images, independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada had reported on Facebook about the presence of Raúl's grandson at the venue. "The vicinity of St. Pauli bar where Dany Ome, Kevincito El 13, and El Cangrejo (Raúl Castro's grandson) are, is completely guarded by police and plainclothes agents," he mentioned in another post.
The Event and Its Political Context
The concert, held on July 26, was part of the "Todo X Santiago" program amidst the Cuban regime's "celebrations" for the National Rebellion Day. Days earlier, Dany Ome and Kevincito El 13 stirred controversy after being announced to perform alongside Juan Guillermo Almeida, son of the late commander Juan Almeida Bosque, sparking intense criticism from exiles. The artists eventually rescheduled their performance for Sunday the 27th, attempting to distance themselves from the official event.
On July 27, Dany Ome and Kevincito El 13 concluded the "Rumbón Mayor" in Alameda with a street concert. Following the show, Dany Ome expressed gratitude on Instagram. "The concert of Dany Ome and Kevincito El 13 kicks off on the 'Todo x Santiago' stage in the Santiago Alameda," Mayeta noted in a post, acknowledging the controversy and criticism from exiles and the duo's association with the political-cultural project 'Todo x Santiago'. Despite these challenges, the artists performed on the Alameda stage, closing out the so-called 'Rumbón Mayor' as part of the modified Carnival 2025 or the 'Motivito' carnival.
Public Reactions and Social Contrast
Mayeta also highlighted the social disparity in his post: "Under the protection of State security and in a city where many families remain in darkness due to power outages, the urban duo performs for a select audience, while the public—outside the spotlight—survives without water, food, and hope." He concluded with a critical reflection: "The music plays, yes... but the echoes of indignation are also present. Santiago does not forget that forced joy does not erase the surrounding darkness."
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro and son of the late General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja and Déborah Castro Espín, holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Ministry of the Interior and is part of his grandfather's personal escort team. This is not the first time El Cangrejo has been seen at parties. In 2017, he was spotted in Varadero dancing with Gente de Zona in a personalized New York Yankees jersey with his nickname.
Meanwhile, Cuba is grappling with a severe economic crisis marked by prolonged blackouts, food and medicine shortages, contrasting starkly with the images of Raúl Castro's grandson enjoying Santiago's nightlife under heavy police protection.
Understanding the Impact of Raúl Castro's Grandson's Appearance
Why is El Cangrejo's presence at the concert significant?
El Cangrejo's appearance at the concert highlights the stark contrast between the privileged lives of the Cuban elite and the struggles of the general population facing economic hardships.
What was the public reaction to the concert?
The public reaction was mixed, with criticism aimed at the artists for associating with state-sponsored events and highlighting the inequality experienced by the Cuban people.