The Cuban lawyer and television host Michel Torres Corona recently expressed his discontent in an article published on the left-leaning Uruguayan site Mate Amargo. The piece, titled "The Crab and the Vampire," openly challenges the unchecked authority of Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo." Despite having no elected government position, El Cangrejo has self-appointed himself as a negotiator between the Cuban regime and Washington.
Torres Corona's decision to publish this article in a foreign outlet highlights the limitations placed on his voice by Cuban state television. This publication coincides with a week of heated debate sparked by El Cangrejo's interview with USA Today. In his first interview with a U.S. medium, El Cangrejo expressed his willingness to negotiate directly with Trump about Cuba's future. He controversially stated, "It pains me that people can't live like I do," while donning Hugo Boss attire, Hermès sneakers, and a Rolex Submariner watch.
The Critique from Within
As the host of the Cuban TV show "Con Filo," Torres Corona crafts his critique with cultural references. He connects the dots from Havana's Don Cangrejo restaurant, a hub for the emerging "protobourgeoisie" during the Special Period with entry fees of five to ten CUC, to the viral video of Raúl Castro's grandson dancing at a Gente de Zona concert in a personalized New York Yankees shirt labeled "EL CANGREJO."
Torres Corona's critique comes from an insider's perspective. Despite being part of the state's media apparatus, he has faced censorship before. In April 2026, he attempted to air a critique of Sandro Castro, Fidel's grandson, following Castro's CNN interview. When the segment was blocked, Torres Corona shared the content on Facebook, revealing underlying tensions that have resurfaced with increased intensity.
Contradictions of Power
The article also examines Sandro Castro, dubbed "the vampire," who gained notoriety for his extravagant videos. Interviewed by CNN correspondent Patrick Oppman, Sandro criticized Díaz-Canel and voiced support for capitalism. For Torres Corona, both El Cangrejo and the Vampire embody a contradiction inherent in the power structure: heirs to revolutionary power who, knowingly or not, clash with the "new man" ideals promised by the Revolution.
Torres Corona's piece joins a chorus of critical voices from within the official ranks this week. Singer-songwriter Israel Rojas publicly apologized on Wednesday for his past naivety regarding the elite's privileges, while the mother of the head of Communication at the Palacio de la Revolución demanded on Facebook that Raúl's grandson be silenced.
Regime's Response
The regime's response was swift. On Thursday, PCC official Elier Ramírez Cañedo defended El Cangrejo as a "Cuban interlocutor, by decision of the country's top leadership." On Friday, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero accused critics of executing "a well-designed plan to create uncertainty and distrust," labeling the critiques as "character assassination."
Torres Corona's resort to a Uruguayan platform to ask questions that Cuban television prohibits is a clear sign of the fractures El Cangrejo's presence has created, even among system supporters. The central question remains unanswered: "What justifies his impunity?"
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding El Cangrejo
Who is Michel Torres Corona?
Michel Torres Corona is a Cuban lawyer and television host known for his critical stance within the Cuban media landscape. He hosts the program "Con Filo" and has faced censorship for his critiques of the regime.
What is the significance of El Cangrejo's interview with USA Today?
El Cangrejo's interview with USA Today is significant as it marks his first interview with an American media outlet, where he expressed his willingness to negotiate Cuba's future with Trump and controversially showcased his lavish lifestyle.
How has the Cuban regime reacted to internal criticism?
The Cuban regime responded to internal criticism by defending El Cangrejo's role as a negotiator and accusing critics of orchestrating a plan to sow distrust, labeling such critiques as "character assassination."