In a revealing broadcast this past Friday, Cuba's state television inadvertently exposed the true hierarchy of power within the nation. Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known by his nickname "El Cangrejo" or "The Crab," was spotted seated among the Political Bureau members during a high-level meeting led by Miguel Díaz-Canel at the Central Committee headquarters in Havana. Raúl Guillermo, who is the chief of personal security for Raúl Castro, is not an official member of the Political Bureau nor does he hold any formal position within Cuba's government or Communist Party.
The gathering, captured by Canal Caribe around 6:30 a.m., included key figures from the Political Bureau, the Secretariat of the Central Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers. At 41, Raúl Guillermo holds the rank of lieutenant colonel within the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), yet his presence at such a crucial meeting speaks volumes about the real power dynamics within Cuba.
The Real Power Structure
Sebastián Arcos, acting director of the Cuban Studies Institute at Florida International University (FIU), provided a sharp analysis of the live images. "Raúl Guillermo's presence in the Political Bureau, despite not being a member, is significant for understanding Cuba's true power structure. He watches Díaz-Canel intently to ensure adherence to the script. He will report back to his grandfather, Raúl Castro, about the meeting's proceedings," Arcos noted.
Unintentionally, Díaz-Canel himself confirmed this interpretation during his public appearance, highlighting ongoing negotiations with the United States as being led by both him and Raúl Castro. For Arcos, this statement captures the essence of Cuba's genuine power arrangement: "In that sentence, he defined the real power in Cuba. Ultimately, Raúl Castro is the one in control, regardless of his retired status."
The "Crab" in the Spotlight
Raúl Guillermo is the grandson of Raúl Castro through his mother Débora Castro Espín and the late General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, who managed GAESA—a military conglomerate controlling a significant portion of Cuba's economy—until his death in July 2022. Since 2016, Raúl Guillermo has led the General Directorate of Personal Security (DGSP), granting him ultimate control over access to the 94-year-old former leader. Nicknamed "The Crab" due to a congenital condition of having six fingers on each hand, he underwent surgery in his teenage years.
His appearance in such a pivotal setting is far from an isolated incident. Reports from Axios and the Miami Herald since February 2026 indicate that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been engaging in secret talks with Raúl Guillermo, including a meeting at the CARICOM summit in Saint Kitts, bypassing Díaz-Canel's official channels. A Trump administration official described these interactions as "surprisingly cordial."
Internal Pressures and Diplomatic Shifts
This Friday meeting occurred amid intense internal pressure, with Havana experiencing a week of nightly protests and pot-banging demonstrations against power outages lasting up to 21 hours following a malfunction at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant on March 5, affecting over six million people. Cubalex reported at least 14 arrests linked to these protests.
In this tense atmosphere, Díaz-Canel reversed the regime's previous stance: until March 10, officials had denied any negotiations with Washington. However, he publicly confirmed them on Friday and announced the release of 51 prisoners—without labeling them as political—and the potential visit of the FBI to investigate the February 25th boat incident. Arcos opines that these are minor concessions: "We are essentially at square one in these negotiations. They haven’t yielded anything substantial yet."
Understanding Cuba's Power Dynamics
Who is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro?
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, also known as "El Cangrejo," is the chief of personal security for Raúl Castro and a key figure in understanding Cuba's real power dynamics, despite holding no formal political position.
What does Raúl Guillermo's presence in the Political Bureau signify?
His presence highlights the hidden power structures in Cuba, indicating that Raúl Castro, despite being retired and without an official position, still wields significant influence over the country's leadership.
How is the U.S. involved with Raúl Guillermo?
Reports suggest that the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has engaged in secret talks with Raúl Guillermo, signaling alternative diplomatic channels outside of Díaz-Canel's official paths.