Raúl Castro's Grandson Claims Cuba's Revolution Will Leave No One Behind

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, widely known as "El Cangrejo" and the grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, made a statement on Friday that quickly stirred reactions among Cubans both on the island and abroad: "As long as the revolution exists, Cuba will not leave any Cuban behind or forgotten."

This declaration was part of his first public interview, given to The National from Havana.

The irony perceived by countless Cubans is stark, as the statement comes amid the largest exodus in Cuba's history, with over a million people having left the island since 2021. This has decreased the effective population from 11.3 million to between 8.6 and 8.8 million.

Data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) indicates that 250,000 Cubans emigrated officially in 2024. However, independent studies suggest that the actual number exceeds 500,000 just for that year. A survey on Cubans' desire to emigrate found that 93% would leave immediately if given the chance.

Despite not holding an official government position, the 41-year-old Raulito is a lieutenant colonel in the Ministry of the Interior and has served as the head of his grandfather's General Directorate of Personal Security since 2016.

He is regarded as an informal channel between Havana and Washington. According to a report by El País, he participated in meetings with U.S. officials linked to Marco Rubio's advisors during a visit to Havana on April 10, 2026.

In the interview, the grandson of the former leader attempted to convey an image of openness towards the United States. "Cuba poses no threat whatsoever to the interests and national security of the United States. We continue to offer a civilized relationship, one based on mutual respect and equality," he asserted.

He also emphasized the possibility of dialogue, but without preconditions: "We still believe that dialogue is the path that brings us closer, not confrontation. But these opportunities will never be based on conditions or impositions, nor will our people bow to demands that are not feasible."

The interview comes at a time of immense pressure on the regime. Raúl Castro has recently been charged by U.S. authorities in connection with the downing of two civilian planes in 1996. U.S. warships have repositioned in the Caribbean, and Cuba is experiencing power outages exceeding 20 hours per day.

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned this month that children are dying due to a lack of medication, a consequence of fuel shortages and extraterritorial sanctions in place since January.

Raulito's appearance coincided with the approval of an emergency economic package on Thursday. This package, consisting of 176 measures, includes greater space for private capital, private banking, buying and selling of state-owned company shares, and participation of Cuban emigrants in the economy.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that the plan draws inspiration from the models of China and Vietnam.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance responded cautiously: "We'll see what they do. If they make smart decisions, we'll have a much better relationship with that island."

William LeoGrande, a professor at American University, noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading the pressure campaign, and Rubio himself acknowledged that he and Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart are the architects of the Trump administration's Cuba policy.

While Raúl Castro's grandson promises that the revolution leaves no one behind, the ongoing Cuban exodus since 2021 tells a different story, that of a nation that has lost more than one in ten of its inhabitants in just five years.