“Rubio has been secretly negotiating with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro – the grandson of influential former leader Raúl Castro and the nephew of the late founder and leader of the Communist Party of Cuba, Fidel Castro,” the Axios website noted.
Díaz-Canel also admitted to Cuban talks with US representatives a few days ago, but according to the NYT, the Americans did not negotiate with him and, on the contrary, are allegedly pushing for his resignation. The Cuban president is perceived by Washington as too unwilling to change and at the same time as a relatively weak figure, while the real power is still held by those closest to Raúl Castro.
“From the point of view of American officials, the negotiations are aimed at Cuba gradually opening its economy to American businessmen and companies – thus laying the foundations for a client state – and at the same time that (US President Donald) Trump achieves several symbolic political victories that he could announce,” the NYT writes, stating that military action like in Venezuela is unlikely in the case of Cuba.
According to the sources of the letter, the pressure on the resignation of Díaz-Canel was not presented by the Americans directly as an ultimatum. “It was presented as a positive step that would pave the way for productive agreements,” the source added to the newspaper.
Adrian Hern, a Latin American who lived in Cuba for years, told the Axios website that there are still a significant number of people on the island who are “loyal to the Cuban revolution.” According to him, the Americans would ideally need someone with the “right reputation” who could make “changes behind the scenes”.
A crab with a deformed finger
“This could lead to another Castro ruling Cuba,” notes Axios, adding that Raúl Castro’s grandson is being offered as one of the candidates. “The 41-year-old man, nicknamed ‘Raulito’ (‘Little Raúl’) or ‘El Cangrejo’ (‘The Crab’) due to a finger deformity, is Raúl Castro’s bodyguard and was head of security when his now 94-year-old grandfather led Cuba,” his website presents.
