A recent leak of official documents highlights Vilma Rodríguez Castro, the granddaughter of General Raúl Castro, as having traveled to the United States at least five times between 2012 and 2016. These trips were made under the protection of a Cuban diplomatic passport, sanctioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), with all expenses covered by American cultural institutions.
The investigation, published by Martí Noticias, reveals how the regime personally arranged for Rodríguez Castro’s travel conditions, citing her "family importance" and security needs to justify the issuance of diplomatic visas. During this timeframe, Vilma attended various cultural events, including art exhibitions and fairs held in New York.
Invitation letters from organizations such as The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation and the Cuban Artists Fund covered travel, accommodation, and logistics costs, asserting that no public funds were used. In July 2016, Vilma traveled with her young son, both entering the country with diplomatic documentation and accompanied by personnel from the Cuban mission to the United Nations, witnesses confirmed to the outlet.
As the daughter of Déborah Castro Espín and the late General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Callejas, former head of the military conglomerate GAESA, Vilma Rodríguez Castro is part of a privileged family group that remains untouched by the U.S. sanctions imposed on her parents in 2020.
When contacted by Martí Noticias, a State Department spokesperson declined to comment on specific past travels but delivered a strong message: “The hypocrisy of the Cuban regime is well-known worldwide and by its people. While the population suffers hunger, blackouts, and misery, top officials and their families continue to enjoy luxuries, including frequent travels abroad.”
Rodríguez Castro’s privileged status extends beyond travel. It was previously disclosed that she manages a luxury mansion in Miramar, Havana, which was rented on Airbnb for $650 a night under the name Casa Vida Luxury Holidays. Following reports by CiberCuba, the U.S. government added this address to its list of prohibited entities for American citizens.
Besides her family lineage, Vilma is married to the artist Arles del Río, who benefits from the regime through scholarships in the United States, such as the Vermont Studio Center, and other assignments within the island. Her personal gallery was set up with state support in Vedado, as reported by Diario de Cuba.
Experts highlight that using diplomatic passports by the Castro family's relatives is a systematic practice to avoid immigration restrictions, discreetly move funds, and even facilitate economic interests abroad. "It's a network of privileges that turns the diplomatic apparatus into a cover for business and selective mobility," commented Cuban researcher Miguel Cossío, cited by Martí Noticias.
While thousands of Cubans face barriers to legally leaving the country or are forced to risk their lives at sea or through jungles seeking a better future, direct descendants of those in power enjoy unrestricted global travel, manage properties, and lead a lifestyle entirely disconnected from the national reality.
Cuban Diplomatic Passport Privileges
What facilitated Vilma Rodríguez Castro's travel to the United States?
Vilma Rodríguez Castro traveled to the United States using a Cuban diplomatic passport, with trips authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expenses covered by American cultural institutions.
How did the U.S. respond to Vilma Rodríguez Castro's use of diplomatic privileges?
The U.S. State Department did not comment on specific past travels but criticized the Cuban regime's hypocrisy, highlighting the disparity between the regime's luxurious lifestyle and the hardships faced by the Cuban population.
What are the implications of using diplomatic passports by Cuban officials' families?
Using diplomatic passports allows Cuban officials’ families to avoid travel restrictions, discreetly move funds, and facilitate economic interests, turning diplomatic channels into a cover for selective mobility and business.