Raúl Castro's grandson was not alone in the front row during the high-level meeting of the Cuban Communist Party held this Thursday at the Central Committee.
Sitting beside Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," was Brigadier General José Amado Ricardo Guerra, Secretary of the Council of Ministers and one of the dictator’s most steadfast allies. Independent media have described him as the "eyes and ears of Raúl Castro within the government."
State-run Cuban television broadcast images of the session this morning, which included participation from the Political Bureau, the Secretariat of the Central Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers.
Key Figures in Cuba's Political Landscape
The meeting, presided over by Miguel Díaz-Canel, focused primarily on the state of relations with the United States and the secret dialogues the regime has been conducting with Washington.
Known in power circles as "Amadito," Ricardo Guerra has been in direct service to Raúl Castro for decades. Born in Gibara, Holguín, he joined the Revolutionary Armed Forces in 1969 and steadily rose through the ranks to become the Chief of the Minister of the FAR’s Secretariat in July 2006, during Fidel Castro's severe illness which led his brother to assume effective control of the nation.
In March 2009, Raúl Castro appointed him as the Executive Secretary of the Council of Ministers, replacing Carlos Lage Dávila, who had held the position since 1986. Since then, Amadito has remained in this crucial role, even after Díaz-Canel formally assumed the presidency in 2018.
The Influence of "Amadito"
"Amadito is a loyal confidant of Raúl Castro, managing the work agenda of both the Council of State and the Council of Ministers," noted journalist and historian Álvaro Alba.
The Cuban Repressors Project, an initiative by the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, accuses him of being a white-collar oppressor and identifies him as one of the founders of the military-business conglomerate GAESA, which controls between 70% and 90% of Cuba's retail trade.
Since 1988, Ricardo Guerra has contributed as an assistant to then-deputy Minister of the FAR Julio Casas Regueiro, aiding the creation of this economic behemoth that operates unchecked and at its own discretion.
The Power Behind the Throne
The simultaneous presence of El Cangrejo and Amadito at the forefront is no coincidence. Both symbolize the mechanisms through which Raúl Castro, at 94, retains genuine control over power without officially holding the presidency.
El Cangrejo, a lieutenant colonel of the MININT and head of his grandfather's personal security, has been identified by the Miami Herald and Axios as the principal Cuban interlocutor in secret discussions with the Trump administration.
Díaz-Canel himself confirmed this morning that these dialogues are "directed by General of the Army [Raúl Castro]," affirming that the appointed president is not the decision-maker of significant matters.
Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart confirmed the previous day that conversations were held with several individuals close to Raúl Castro at the highest levels, while President Trump announced on March 7 that "Marco Rubio is talking to Cuba right now."
The Central Committee meeting, with El Cangrejo and Amadito in the front row, presents a clear picture of who these key figures are.
Insights into Cuba's Secretive Political Dynamics
Who is El Cangrejo?
El Cangrejo is the nickname for Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro and head of his personal security, known for his involvement in secret dialogues with the Trump administration.
What role does José Amado Ricardo Guerra play in the Cuban government?
José Amado Ricardo Guerra, also known as Amadito, is the Secretary of the Council of Ministers and a close confidant of Raúl Castro, often seen as his "eyes and ears" within the government.
What is GAESA?
GAESA is a military-business conglomerate in Cuba that controls a significant portion of the country's retail trade, and José Amado Ricardo Guerra is identified as one of its founders.