José Miguel González Vidal, a prominent figure within the Cuban Mafia in Quintana Roo, has confessed to U.S. authorities that he provided a high-speed boat along with other extravagant gifts to Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, often referred to as "El Cangrejo." Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, is also his personal security chief.
These claims are documented in court records, as reported by The New York Times on Tuesday. The investigation outlines the activities of a violent network that has been involved for years in smuggling Cuban migrants between Cuba, Mexico, and South Florida.
According to González Vidal's testimony, Rodríguez Castro allegedly received, in addition to a speedboat, a Rolex watch, a Suzuki motorcycle, and Louis Vuitton apparel. In return, he was supposedly tasked with keeping the Cuban Coast Guard and Customs at bay to ensure smooth operations for the movement of people and goods.
The Role of "El Cangrejo" in the Cuban Government
Known as a colonel in the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), "El Cangrejo" has been overseeing his grandfather's personal security since 2016.
The FBI, as reported by the U.S. newspaper, found evidence supporting González Vidal's claims in text and voice messages retrieved from the cell phones of the organization's members, according to sources familiar with the case.
Legal Consequences for González Vidal
González Vidal, a 38-year-old with dual Cuban-Spanish nationality, pled guilty to RICO conspiracy charges in a Miami federal court at the end of 2023 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described him as a "career criminal" with a history of kidnapping, robbery, grand theft, and illegal credit card use. Previously deported to Spain, he was later extradited to Florida.
A federal judge recently ordered González Vidal's case file to remain sealed, a common procedure when a defendant is cooperating with prosecutors. His attorney, Juan D. Berrios, declined to comment.
The Human Trafficking Network's Operations
The allegations are part of a broader FBI and DHS investigation known as Operation Sisyphus, targeting a syndicate that operated between Cuba, Mexico, and South Florida since at least 2009.
Court documents reveal that the group stole over 600 outboard motors and boats in southwest Florida cities, from Sarasota to Marco Island. These vessels were transported to Quintana Roo and used, among other things, to clandestinely ferry Cuban migrants.
The organization charged around $10,000 per person for these perilous journeys.
For those unable to pay, the trip could become a nightmare. Some migrants were held in safe houses while their families were extorted for money. Others were beaten or tortured with Taser guns, and a number of women were forced into working in nightclubs.
Approximately 25 individuals lost their lives during these maritime crossings, according to court documents cited in the investigation.
"We inflicted physical punishment. Sometimes they were struck with a wooden board or a Taser gun," declared Reynaldo Crespo Márquez, a member of the organization, in a Miami federal court in 2023. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty.
The network also transported Cubans who later gained fame in Major League Baseball, such as Yasiel Puig, former outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarría.
The investigation has led to at least 21 convictions.
Ongoing Investigations and Political Repercussions
Despite González Vidal's statements and the evidence presented by The New York Times, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro has not been formally charged with any crime in the United States, and the federal investigation remains open.
The Cuban government has dismissed the accusations. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío called them "slanderous," asserting that "there is no connection to the Cuban government."
Rodríguez Castro, meanwhile, did not respond to requests for comment from the American newspaper.
The revelations gain particular significance given "El Cangrejo's" increasing role in 2026 as an informal liaison between Havana and Washington.
Raúl Castro's grandson has held separate meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe amidst ongoing communications between the two governments.
The case also highlights the organization's ties in Mexico.
In April, Mexican authorities apprehended Remigio Valdez-Lao, alias "Milo," in Cancun. Accused of being a key financial operative for the criminal network, he is currently facing extradition to the United States.
Valdez-Lao was previously arrested in 2010 in Sarasota during one of the early undercover operations linked to the group. Years later, U.S. authorities connected those activities to a broader conspiracy that moved millions of dollars and turned the clandestine routes between Cuba, Mexico, and Florida into a venture marked by theft, extortion, violence, and Cuban migrant deaths at sea.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Mafia and Raúl Castro's Grandson
What gifts did Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro allegedly receive?
He allegedly received a high-speed boat, a Rolex watch, a Suzuki motorcycle, and Louis Vuitton clothing.
Has Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro been charged in the U.S.?
As of now, he has not been formally charged with any crime in the United States, and the investigation is ongoing.
What is Operation Sisyphus?
Operation Sisyphus is an FBI and DHS investigation focused on a criminal organization involved in smuggling Cuban migrants between Cuba, Mexico, and South Florida.