Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz publicly extended his congratulations to Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, great-nephew of Fidel and Raúl Castro, following his recent elevation to the role of Deputy Prime Minister. Marrero described him as "a well-prepared leader with all the necessary qualities to undertake the newly assigned responsibilities."
The announcement, shared on the social media platform X, sparked a wave of critical and sarcastic reactions. Numerous users accused the government of nepotism and perpetuating a "family dynasty" in power. "When you said he has qualities, did you mean he has relatives in the upper echelons?" commented one user. Another added, "Required qualities: being Raúl Castro's grandson," while others labeled the appointment as "the mafia in action" or "another member of the royal family."
The Castro Family's Continued Influence
Pérez-Oliva is the son of Mirsa Fraga Castro and the grandson of Ángela Castro, sister of the late dictator, as well as the elderly and retired army general. His rise, which strengthens the Castro clan's grip on key state positions, occurs amid the most severe economic crisis in decades and growing public discontent over political stagnation and lack of transparency in government appointments.
The promotion, announced the day before, was approved by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and ratified by the Council of State, as proposed by Miguel Díaz-Canel. At 54, Pérez-Oliva, an electronics engineer, will continue serving as the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (Mincex), a position he has held since May 2024, succeeding the regime's historic negotiator, Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, who passed away at 88 in September.
A Controversial Career Path
Prior to his appointment, the new Deputy Prime Minister held positions as a director of state enterprises and as the First Deputy Minister of Mincex. A significant milestone in his career was his role as Director of Business Evaluation at the Mariel Special Development Zone, where he worked under the late General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Callejas, Raúl Castro's former son-in-law, a central figure in the opaque finances of the Business Administration Group S.A. (Gaesa).
Despite being officially praised for his discipline and "mastery of international economic relations" following his graduation from the Technological University of Havana (Cujae), Pérez-Oliva's rapid rise has drawn attention within the Cuban bureaucracy.
His appointment underscores the dominant influence of the Castro family and their "heirs" at the highest levels of political and economic power. The current "continuity" government, formally led by Díaz-Canel, is viewed by analysts as mere theater; they see the appointed leader as a "puppet" of the "famiglia," whose true power circle is preparing to take the reins.
Questions About Nepotism and Power Dynamics in Cuba
What positions has Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga held before becoming Deputy Prime Minister?
Before being named Deputy Prime Minister, Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga served as a director of state enterprises, the First Deputy Minister of Mincex, and Director of Business Evaluation at the Mariel Special Development Zone.
How has the public reacted to Pérez-Oliva's promotion?
The public reaction to Pérez-Oliva's promotion has been largely critical, with many accusing the government of nepotism and reinforcing a "family dynasty" in power.
What does Óscar Pérez-Oliva's appointment signify for the Castro family's influence in Cuba?
Óscar Pérez-Oliva's appointment highlights the enduring influence of the Castro family in Cuba's political and economic spheres, indicating a continuation of their dominance at the highest levels of power.