Trump-Linked Businessmen Allegedly Met with "El Cangrejo" in Cuba

Business executives with ties to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump reportedly traveled to Cuba in recent months to explore potential business ventures. During their visit, they allegedly held meetings with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, popularly referred to as "El Cangrejo," according to an investigation released by The Guardian on Thursday.

The meetings were reportedly conducted under the auspices of Dominari Holdings, a company headquartered in the Trump Tower in New York. The focus was on potential opportunities in the Cuban hotel industry, as detailed in a report by journalists Lee Schlenker and Ed Augustin.

Documents cited by the newspaper reveal that Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump joined the advisory board of Dominari in February 2025, holding a combined 13.4% stake in the company. Their interest in Cuban hotels comes in the wake of the withdrawal of foreign companies like Meliá and Iberostar, which left the island in July amid increased U.S. sanctions against GAESA, the military-run business conglomerate in Cuba.

Key Figures in Cuban Power Structure

Their counterpart in these discussions is no minor figure within Havana's power hierarchy. "El Cangrejo" serves as an official in the MININT and is the chief of his grandfather's personal security. He is also the son of Déborah Castro Espín and the late General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, who headed GAESA.

Rodríguez Castro has also gained prominence as a liaison in dialogues between Washington and Havana. In May, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with him in the Cuban capital following reports by Axios about secret talks between the Castro grandson and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Exploration Beyond Hospitality

The Guardian's investigation extends beyond the hotel industry, identifying entrepreneurs, investors, and lobbying firms connected to political circles in Washington and Florida. These groups are exploring opportunities concerning Cuban assets amid U.S. sanctions and potential political shifts on the island.

This includes Texas businessmen Ray Washburne and Albert Huddleston, who, according to the newspaper, submitted competing bids to acquire Canadian firm Sherritt International's stake in its nickel and cobalt joint venture with the Cuban government.

Also mentioned is Australian company Antilles Gold, which was sanctioned in June for its activities in Cuba. It reportedly received authorization from the Trump administration to negotiate the transfer of its stake in a copper and gold mine to the New York-based Global Emerging Markets fund.

A Shifting Landscape in Cuban-American Business Relations

The movement of U.S. capital into Cuba has also penetrated the energy sector. According to the report, oil exports approved by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the Cuban private sector have exceeded $160 million in 2026.

The Guardian further highlights Continental Strategy, a lobbying firm led by individuals with political connections to Rubio. The firm was hired in July by Vima World SL, a Spanish company linked to GAESA, but the contract was terminated that same month after nearly $40,000 was paid.

This environment illustrates the confluence of tighter U.S. sanctions, the exit of foreign enterprises, and the growing interest of American businessmen and investors in strategic Cuban assets and businesses.

Consultant Erik Cartelle, quoted by The Guardian, who facilitates connections between exiled figures and the U.S. Department of State, noted that there is interest from clients eager to engage in business within a politically transformed Cuba. However, he emphasized that any future agreements must consider the Cuban diaspora.