While countless Cubans endure power outages lasting over 30 hours and struggle to secure breakfast, the stepson of ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro's grandson are regulars at one of Havana's most exclusive private gyms.
Journalist Mario J. Pentón disclosed on his Facebook page that a contact in Havana provided him with images of the Pura Vida Mind-Body gym's interior. The photos confirmed that Manuel Anido Cuesta, son of Lis Cuesta Peraza, hires a personal trainer at this facility.
The same source reported that another VIP patron of the gym is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, also known as "El Cangrejo," Raúl Castro's grandson. Membership fees are not affordable for the average Cuban, with Pentón stating that they can reach approximately $750 per month.
"The Cuban people deserve to know how corrupt their leaders, their leaders' children and grandchildren are. While they ask the people to sacrifice and endure nights without electricity, unable to provide a decent breakfast for their children, look at how they lavishly spend their money, living like true capitalists," the journalist commented.
State-of-the-Art Gym Lacks Only a Pool
The Pura Vida Mind-Body gym is situated at Calle 88 No. 525, between 5th C and 7th, in Playa, one of Havana's more affluent areas. The facility boasts cutting-edge equipment, electronic lockers, personal trainers, and its own café offering fresh juices, protein shakes, meats, salads, sandwiches, and specialty coffee, along with a sports supplement shop.
Some patrons note on social media that the gym would be perfect if only it had a pool.
Perhaps the most striking contrast with the country's reality is the gym's solar photovoltaic panels installed on its roof. The gym announced on Instagram that these panels improve sustainability: "We have added solar panels to make Pura Vida a more efficient and sustainable space."
On August 12, the gym communicated a temporary closure on Instagram from August 15 to September 1 for maintenance and equipment upgrades.
Manuel Anido Cuesta faced sanctions from OFAC on June 4, 2026, alongside Díaz-Canel and Lis Cuesta, under Executive Order 14404, due to his connections with the Cuban regime's power structure.
Anido Cuesta, recognized by OFAC as residing in Madrid, also managed a strategic consulting firm registered in the Spanish capital for nine months.
Known as "El Cangrejo," Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, a colonel in the Ministry of the Interior and head of Raúl Castro's personal security, became a public figure in 2026. In July, he gave an interview in which he stated, "It pains me that people cannot live like I do."
This statement encapsulates the stark divide between the regime's elite and the Cuban populace, who, just a few miles from the Pura Vida gym, face scarcity, hardships, and power cuts that prevent even the use of a fan at night.
FAQs on the Exclusive Gym and Cuba's Elite
Who are Manuel Anido Cuesta and Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro?
Manuel Anido Cuesta is the stepson of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and son of Lis Cuesta Peraza. Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," is the grandson of Raúl Castro and a colonel in the Ministry of the Interior.
What makes the Pura Vida Mind-Body gym notable?
The Pura Vida Mind-Body gym is known for its exclusivity, high membership fees, and state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced equipment and solar panels for sustainability. It caters to Cuba's elite, including family members of high-ranking officials.
What does the gym's exclusivity reveal about social inequality in Cuba?
The gym's exclusivity highlights the disparity between Cuba's ruling class and the general populace, who face daily hardships such as food scarcity and power outages, while members of the elite enjoy luxurious amenities.