Yadira Ramírez Morera, the wife of Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, made another appearance on state-run television. She was seen in a video aired by Canal Caribe during the opening of the 10th Ibero-American Meeting on Rural and Agro Tourism, held at the National Botanical Garden. Sitting in the second row, she appeared serious and attentive as the Deputy Minister of Tourism welcomed the attendees.
It is a relatively new occurrence for the wives of high-ranking officials to be seen at official events in Cuba. For decades, the regime kept the spouses of its leaders out of the public eye. This pattern of secrecy only began to change with Miguel Díaz-Canel's rise to power and the frequent media presence of his wife, Lis Cuesta. This shift has since become normalized, with wives accompanying their husbands on official tours and making public appearances, indicating a change in the government's communication strategy.
From Official Protocol to Luxurious Lifestyles Abroad
Yadira Ramírez is not a novice in the sector led by her husband. She serves as the Director of Communication for the Ministry of Tourism and previously managed Publicitur S.A., an agency focused on promoting Cuba as a tourist destination. In recent years, she has led international campaigns, presided over events in Madrid, and participated in organizing occasions like the World Underwater Photography Championship in Varadero. Her professional profile is now complemented by her growing political visibility.
Last March, she accompanied Marrero on an official trip to the Republic of Congo, staying at the Hilton Brazzaville, a five-star hotel featuring a pool, tennis courts, and a panoramic restaurant. There, she pursued her own agenda in the manner of "second ladies": visiting cultural and social institutions and delivering donations alongside the wives of Congolese officials. Her diplomatic gestures and portrayal of power and philanthropy abroad contrast sharply with the chronic shortages and deteriorating living conditions faced by millions of Cubans. The stark difference between these opulent visits and the domestic crisis has become a symbol of the system's inequalities.
A Family of Privileges and Controversies
Ramírez's visibility adds to a series of controversies surrounding the Prime Minister's family. Two of his nieces, Giselle and Lorena Selcis Marrero, emigrated to the United States in 2022 and 2023 under asylum and humanitarian parole programs, respectively. Daughters of Tamara Marrero Cruz, the Prime Minister's sister, both have showcased a comfortable lifestyle, first in Cuba and later abroad, with travel, luxury hotels, and exclusive hobbies.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's eldest son, Manuel Alejandro Marrero Medina, was denied entry to the United States under the parole program in 2024. Nevertheless, he has also been a subject of controversy, as his life in Cuba has been marked by luxuries inaccessible to most: yachting, international travel, stays at resorts, and photos in private jets used by the regime's elite. He graduated in Sociocultural Studies and has worked with Gaviota Tours, part of the military conglomerate GAESA. His social media once reflected this privileged environment, which he eventually erased following criticism.
A Strategy Shift That Highlights Old Inequalities
The presence of Yadira Ramírez Morera on official media underscores that the Cuban government has moved away from its policy of keeping leaders' wives invisible. However, this change does not equate to greater transparency. Instead, it normalizes the luxurious lifestyles of the political elite in a country mired in hardship. The case of Marrero, his wife, and his family illustrates how the regime's leaders enjoy benefits that starkly contrast with the shortages of food, medicine, and resources that most Cubans endure. The gap between the lives of the ruling class and the general population continues to widen, with each new public appearance of their family members making it even more apparent.
Understanding the Role and Impact of Cuba's Political Elite
Why is the visibility of political leaders' wives a recent phenomenon in Cuba?
For decades, the Cuban regime kept the spouses of top officials out of the public eye, maintaining a veil of secrecy. This changed with the arrival of Miguel Díaz-Canel and the media presence of his wife, Lis Cuesta, signaling a shift in the government's communication strategy.
How does Yadira Ramírez's role in tourism contribute to her public profile?
Yadira Ramírez is the Director of Communication for the Ministry of Tourism and has a history of managing and promoting tourism in Cuba. Her professional involvement in international campaigns and events has elevated her visibility in both the tourism sector and political sphere.
What contrasts exist between the lifestyles of Cuba's ruling class and the general population?
While the ruling class, including families like that of Yadira Ramírez and Manuel Marrero Cruz, enjoy luxurious lifestyles with foreign travels and high-end accommodations, the general Cuban population faces shortages of essential goods and deteriorating living standards.