A federal judge in Nevada has granted release to Cuban entrepreneur Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera, who is closely associated with "The Crab," the influential grandson of Raúl Castro. This case has raised concerns among the Cuban exile community due to Rodríguez Cabrera's connections with the ruling elite in Cuba and his rapid business growth in the United States.
According to Martí Noticias, as reported by journalist Mario J. Pentón, the judge's decision followed a Habeas Corpus petition, despite opposition from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which resisted granting him residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Rodríguez Cabrera, who was detained for several months by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is a co-owner of Gran Azul LLC, a rapidly expanding business in the U.S. focusing on shipping, logistics, tourism, and car sales with ties to Cuba.
Disputing the "Diplomatic Courier" Argument
Court documents reviewed by Martí Noticias reveal that Rodríguez Cabrera's defense team challenged ICE's primary justification for his detention, which was his past role as a diplomatic courier for the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX).
Despite ICE's portrayal of him as having "close ties with the Cuban government," his attorneys argue that this role ended nearly eight years ago and that his diplomatic passport expired in 2017.
An Influential Legal Team
The businessman is represented by Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt, P.A., one of the most prominent immigration law firms in the U.S. The firm is led by Ira Kurzban, who is married to Cuban-American attorney Magda Montiel Davis, known in Miami for her controversial encounter with Fidel Castro in 1994.
From Regime Diplomat to Asylum Seeker
Rodríguez Cabrera was detained in June 2025 after seeking political asylum in the U.S. following his entry through the southern border in 2022. He claimed persecution by the very regime he once served, despite previous investigations linking him directly to Cuba's power elite.
Martí Noticias and journalist Pentón previously exposed his connections to the Castro family and his involvement in establishing Gran Azul LLC, raising suspicions about regime-linked capital in exile businesses.
Rapid Business Growth and Unanswered Questions
Gran Azul LLC, registered in Nevada in November 2024, quickly expanded with locations in Miami, Orlando, Houston, Phoenix, and Fort Myers. Rodríguez Cabrera is listed as the administrator and Marcel Blanco Fernández as a member, indicating shared ownership.
"Gran Azul grew like wildfire, but no one knows where that money came from," commented a source in the logistics industry.
Luxury, Yachts, and the Shadow of "The Crab"
In 2023, América TeVé released videos showing Rodríguez Cabrera on a yacht with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, enjoying luxuries unavailable to most Cubans, who are prohibited from accessing private vessels.
Family sources claim their relationship began through Sheyla Puentes, the mother of Raúl Castro's granddaughters. Although that relationship ended, the friendship with "The Crab" persisted, with Rodríguez Cabrera reportedly making shopping trips for him to the U.S. and Mexico.
Silence, Social Media Disappearance, and Exile Community Concern
Pentón has repeatedly noted that Rodríguez Cabrera has avoided interviews. A man answering his phone denied knowing him, and his Instagram account vanished shortly after. His alleged partner, Marcel Blanco Fernández, cut off all contact after initial outreach.
The lack of transparency regarding his wealth and Gran Azul LLC's operations has sparked growing alarm within the Cuban exile community, where many fear this case exemplifies Castro regime infiltration into the U.S.
Concerns and Questions About Cuban Business Influence in the U.S.
What are the concerns about Rodríguez Cabrera's business activities in the U.S.?
There are fears that Rodríguez Cabrera's business success may be linked to capital tied to the Cuban regime, raising concerns about potential infiltration and influence in the United States.
Why did Rodríguez Cabrera seek political asylum in the U.S.?
Rodríguez Cabrera claimed persecution by the Cuban regime, despite his previous connections to the country's power elite, as a basis for his asylum request.
How has his relationship with "The Crab" affected perceptions of his case?
His close association with Raúl Castro's grandson, "The Crab," has heightened suspicions and concerns within the Cuban exile community about potential regime affiliations.