Spanish propagandist Ana Hurtado reiterated her unwavering loyalty to Raúl Castro this Tuesday, despite two criminal charges he faces in the United States for the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes.
To express her allegiance, the "champion of continuity" borrowed a slogan from pro-government artist Alexis Leyva Machado, known as Kcho, another long-time devotee of the ruling family.
“As Kcho said, 'Trouble with Raúl, Trouble with Me,'” Hurtado wrote in a Facebook post, accompanying a photo of the former Cuban leader in military uniform surrounded by youth.
“I am sure that every Cuban revolutionary and those worldwide would say the same,” she added, using the hashtag #RaúlIsRaúl.
This statement comes just four days after a Florida judge issued a new arrest warrant for the former Cuban ruler. Yet for Hurtado, allegations of murder seem far less significant than the obligation to rally around the Castro name.
The Historical Context of Kcho's Slogan
The phrase isn't a recent invention. Kcho used it during a tribute for Raúl Castro's 95th birthday on June 3rd, involving an artistic event with children.
In a video shared on social media and reported by Diario de Cuba, children can be seen placing their paint-covered hands on a white wall in Havana, around the slogan “Trouble with Raúl, Trouble with Me,” written in bold red letters.
Kcho's event, cloaked in childlike innocence, was a tribute to a dictator with blood on his hands. With colorful handprints on the white wall, the message of loyalty and submission to power was clear.
Kcho: From Art to Political Devotion
Born in 1970 on the Isle of Youth, Alexis Leyva Machado is an internationally recognized artist whose public support for Fidel and Raúl Castro has been evident and consistent.
A former member of the National Assembly, Kcho accompanied Raúl Castro to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican in May 2015 and personally hosted Fidel Castro at his Romerillo studio in Havana in January 2014.
In a BBC interview, Kcho encapsulated his beliefs with an unmatched ideological enthusiasm: “I am 100% a product of the revolution and 3,000% revolutionary.”
His loyalty intertwines art, political activism, and personal admiration for Cuban leaders. Despite controversies, such as his temporary disappearance from the public eye and rehabilitation treatment in 2017 and 2018, Kcho has regained visibility in official media, continuing his public support for the Castro regime.
Ana Hurtado: Family Ties and Political Allegiance
Ana Hurtado Martínez exhibits similar fervor, mainly expressed through social media, state propaganda, and regime-aligned political communications.
Having resided in Cuba since October 2022, Hurtado has made defending Castroism a public endeavor. Her rhetoric combines anti-American sentiment, praise for Cuban leaders, and a denial of the regime's internal responsibilities in the national crisis.
Hurtado's connection to power is not merely political. According to a CiberCuba investigation, she married Senén Casas Más, son of the late General Senén Casas Regueiro, who was a close collaborator with Raúl Castro.
Casas Más is linked to the circle around Alejandro Castro Espín, Raúl Castro's son and a major figure in Cuba's security apparatus, explaining Hurtado's close ties to the power circles she publicly defends.
Raúl Castro's Legal Challenges in the U.S.
Hurtado's latest expression of loyalty coincides with a critical legal moment for Raúl Castro.
On October 16th, Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan issued a state arrest warrant in Miami for the ex-leader on conspiracy charges related to the 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue planes.
This state charge comes on top of a federal indictment from May 20, 2026, which includes seven counts against Raúl Castro: four for murder, two for aircraft destruction, and one for conspiracy, along with five Cuban military officers.
The state charge has a significant distinction: a potential federal presidential pardon wouldn't cover the crimes pursued under Florida law.
The incident occurred on February 24, 1996, when Cuban Air Force jets shot down two civilian Cessna 337 planes of Brothers to the Rescue over international waters in the Florida Strait, killing Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario Manuel de la Peña, Carlos Costa, and Pablo Morales. Their bodies were never recovered.
While Raúl Castro remains in Cuba and is considered a fugitive in the federal case, Kcho and Ana Hurtado continue to publicly profess a personal loyalty that remains largely unquestioned.
Understanding Raúl Castro's Legal Predicament
What are the charges against Raúl Castro in the United States?
Raúl Castro faces charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and other related charges for the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes.
Who is Ana Hurtado, and why is she defending Raúl Castro?
Ana Hurtado is a Spanish propagandist known for her public support of the Cuban regime. Her defense of Raúl Castro is likely influenced by her personal ties to influential figures within the Cuban military elite.
What is the significance of Kcho's slogan "Trouble with Raúl, Trouble with Me"?
The slogan, used by artist Kcho, signifies unwavering loyalty to Raúl Castro, reflecting a broader culture of devotion to the Cuban leadership within certain circles.