Cuban broadcaster and host, Laritza Camacho, took to Facebook to deliver a sharp critique, laced with irony, aimed at those warning against sending "wrong signals" to the Cuban populace. Her comments came in response to the heated debate sparked by interviews with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, widely known as "El Cangrejo."
The controversy erupted after El Cangrejo made a rare public appearance, granting his first interview to the U.S. outlet USA Today. He spoke from his grandfather's former office at the Havana Convention Center, sporting Hugo Boss jeans, Hermès sneakers, and a Rolex Submariner. In the interview, he offered to negotiate directly with Donald Trump on Cuba's future.
"Wrong signals? Raúl Guillermo has sent the clearest signals in the world. Anyone who hasn't seen them should reassess their surroundings," the actress remarked.
Camacho points to the glaring contradiction: while the regime preaches equality, Raúl Castro's grandson showcases yachts, Rolex watches, gold, and the demeanor of a negotiator. "There exists a wealthy elite in Cuba and an overwhelmed populace," she writes bluntly.
She doesn't overlook El Cangrejo's statement, "It pains me that many people can't live like I do." To this, Camacho responds with measured sarcasm: "Of course, he can negotiate if he has pedigree and money (Oh, and those lovely blue eyes!)."
The Discrepancy in Leadership
Her sharpest critique is reserved for Miguel Díaz-Canel. Camacho describes him as "the same president who belittles the people and dismisses their struggles as 'Cuban folklore'," recalling his call for citizen-against-citizen combat during the July 11, 2021 protests, ignoring the diverse voices of the people.
"A people who, even under these conditions, seek solutions with dignity, sovereignty, and independence. A people crying out to be heard, not by Trump (whose only virtue is not pretending to be virtuous) but by our leaders," she emphasizes.
Historical Hypocrisy
To illustrate the regime's historical hypocrisy, Camacho recalls a revealing episode: the Revolution banned golf as a bourgeois sport, yet years later, one of Fidel Castro's sons was crowned Cuba's golf champion. The parallel with El Cangrejo is striking: "Wealth is punished, the bourgeois lifestyle is censured, yet El Cangrejo emerges with the rank of colonel, yachts, gold, Rolex, and the air of a negotiator."
This contradiction becomes even more glaring considering journalistic investigations documented at least 23 private jet trips by El Cangrejo to Panama between 2024 and late 2025 for luxury shopping, while Cubans struggle with monthly salaries of $10 to $15 and endure power outages lasting over 24 hours.
Camacho, now one of the most followed critical voices on social media, has repeatedly challenged the regime's double standards and the lack of genuine dialogue with citizens.
She concludes her reflection with a phrase that captures the sentiment of many Cubans: "People may stay silent, but even if they accept the rationed chicken labeled as fish (and its 19 products?), they won't be fooled by a crab masquerading as a hare."
Understanding Cuba's Political Dynamics
Who is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro?
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, also known as "El Cangrejo," is the grandson of Raúl Castro, the former Cuban leader. He has recently come into the spotlight for his public appearances and offers to negotiate with international figures.
What is the significance of El Cangrejo's interview with USA Today?
The interview is significant as it represents a rare public engagement by a member of Cuba's ruling elite, proposing direct negotiations with the United States, which contrasts with the regime's typical rhetoric of equality and anti-imperialism.
How does Laritza Camacho view the Cuban government's actions?
Laritza Camacho criticizes the Cuban government for its hypocrisy and double standards, highlighting the disparity between its public narrative of equality and the lavish lifestyles of its elite.