Sandro Castro, the grandson of Fidel Castro, took to Instagram this past Friday with a series of stories filled with crab emojis and satirical AI-generated scenes. These posts were a direct nod to Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," who had just given his first public interview to The National that same day.
While Sandro's posts did not specifically name Raúl Guillermo, the intent was clear: images teeming with anthropomorphized, smiling crabs and a flurry of crustacean emojis at the bottom of each story made the message unmistakable.
The initial AI-generated image depicted a grandiose scene dubbed "KINGDOM OF CAZORLA": a palace illuminated by fireworks, surrounded by a crowd of human-like crabs holding banners with the names "CRISTACH" and "PRESENTÍN," alongside the slogan "WITH ALL AND FOR THE GOOD OF ALL" on red signs.
The subsequent story adopted the look of a superhero poster: a Caribbean beach with a colonial building in the background, flanked by American retailers like Walmart, KFC, Chase Bank, and McDonald's, as well as mechanical creatures resembling crabs and scorpions on either side of the scene.
The trigger for these posts was Raúl Guillermo's interview with The National, marking the first time the lieutenant colonel from the Ministry of the Interior spoke to an international media outlet.
In the interview, "El Cangrejo" championed the regime's so-called "new model" economy and the 176 economic measures introduced by Havana. He promised more openness to private investment while maintaining the political system, and signaled to Washington: "Cuba wants a relationship [with the U.S.]," but warned that "Cuba will not accept impositions."
Raúl Guillermo, son of Débora Castro Espín and the late General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, former head of the military business conglomerate GAESA, has been leading the General Directorate of Personal Security for Raúl Castro within the MININT since 2016. By 2026, he emerged as a rising power figure in Cuba.
In May 2026, the CIA director met with "El Cangrejo" in Havana, fueling speculation about his role as an informal channel between Havana and Washington.
It is noteworthy that when the U.S. sanctioned Díaz-Canel, Lis Cuesta, Alejandro Castro Espín, and others in June 2026, "El Cangrejo" was conspicuously absent from the list, which some analysts attribute to his intermediary role.
Sandro Castro, boasting over 164,000 Instagram followers, is recognized for his indirect political commentary through humor. He has identified himself as a "revolutionary, yes; communist, no," mocked Díaz-Canel publicly, and stirred controversy by liking a post critical of Fidel Castro.
Sandro's reaction to "El Cangrejo's" debut in international media suggests that even within Cuba's inner circles, Raúl Guillermo's emergence as a visible figure does not go unnoticed.
Key Questions About Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro's Public Appearance
What was the significance of Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro's interview with The National?
The interview marked the first time Raúl Guillermo, an influential figure within Cuba's power structure, spoke to an international media outlet, signaling a potential shift in Cuba's diplomatic approach.
How did Sandro Castro respond to Raúl Guillermo's interview?
Sandro Castro reacted with a series of Instagram stories featuring crab emojis and satirical AI-generated images, indirectly referencing Raúl Guillermo's interview.
Why is Raúl Guillermo known as "El Cangrejo"?
The nickname "El Cangrejo," which translates to "The Crab," is a moniker associated with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, though the origins of this nickname remain unclear.