As the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021 protests approaches, the Cuban Movement of Conscientious Objector Soldiers (MOC) has issued a direct appeal to the generals and colonels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and MININT to overthrow the Castro family from power.
Led by retired Brigadier General Rafael del Pino, the highest-ranking officer to have defected from the Cuban regime, the MOC released a statement with a clear message: "Remove that family from the throne they are trying to secure for their descendants."
The MOC questioned the active-duty military personnel on whether, on this fifth anniversary of the 11J protests, they would defend what it termed "The First Monarchy of Latin America," urging them to take a decisive step.
"If the possibility of international intervention is what has paralyzed you from assuming your rightful role, then fulfill your duty and take power alongside the people, who are the only legitimate sovereign," the statement declared.
Published on the portal Cuba Siglo 21, the statement described Cuba not as a socialist country under a communist party, but as "a mafia state controlled by a kleptocratic oligarchy that robs resources from the people and uses you as a private mercenary army."
A key trigger for the message was an interview given by Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo" and grandson of Raúl Castro, to USA Today on July 7, 2026. In the interview, he offered himself as a potential negotiator with Donald Trump and positioned himself as an emerging political figure, despite claiming he had "never been interested in politics."
The MOC did not let these statements pass without response: "The pretensions and attitudes of the frivolous and ignorant 'Cangrejo,' elevated to statesman above institutions by virtue of his belonging to the royal family, would be laughable if they weren't so infuriating in the current circumstances."
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz confirmed on Saturday that the negotiating team led by "El Cangrejo" operates with the direct backing of Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel, which for the MOC confirms that real power in Cuba lies with the family, not the institutions.
The call comes at a time of extreme crisis: power outages lasting up to 25 hours a day, the informal dollar trading at 670 Cuban pesos, more than 1,281 political prisoners—338 of whom are directly linked to the 11J protests—and a historic record of 107 street protests recorded in June 2026 alone.
On the same Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded the immediate release of Cuban political prisoners and urged the regime to undertake "real reforms before it is too late," dismissing the 176 economic measures approved by Havana in June as superficial gestures that do not address the Communist Party's political monopoly.
This is not the first time the MOC has made such a call: in January 2026, they urged the armed forces to side with the people, and in October 2022, they issued a similar plea to the MININT and FAR. However, this anniversary's call is the most explicit yet, directly urging the military to seize power.
Cuban Military and Political Crisis FAQ
What is the Cuban Movement of Conscientious Objector Soldiers (MOC)?
The MOC is an organization composed of former Cuban military personnel who have defected from the regime. It advocates for political change in Cuba, urging the armed forces to take action against the ruling Castro family.
Who is "El Cangrejo" and why is he significant?
"El Cangrejo" is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro. He has emerged as a political figure and potential negotiator for the Cuban regime, though he claims to have no interest in politics.
What are the current challenges facing Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing severe crises, including prolonged power outages, a soaring informal dollar rate, a high number of political prisoners, and a record number of street protests.