Manuel Anido Cuesta, the step-son of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and son of Lis Cuesta, was at the helm of a Madrid-based company specializing in strategic consultancy for international clients and investment platforms in Europe for nine months, as revealed by official documents from the Spanish Mercantile Registry accessed by CiberCuba.
According to the Official Bulletin of the Mercantile Registry (BORME), on April 16, 2025, Anido Cuesta was appointed as the sole administrator of Arcturus 2025 SL, a company established just two months prior.
On that same day, the company was renamed to Meridian Wealth Group SL, and its corporate purpose was modified, with Anido Cuesta becoming the sole shareholder. This move gave him complete control over the company in addition to his administrative role.
Focus on Latin America and the Caribbean
The new corporate mission emphasized strategic consultancy for international clients, particularly those from the Americas, Latin America, and the Caribbean, interested in establishing business ventures and investment platforms. The company's agenda also included market research and analysis within Europe, with a specific focus on the Iberian market.
Available registry documents do not indicate any irregularities by the company, nor do they reveal information about its client base, operations, or business volume.
Acquisition Rather Than Foundation
Anido Cuesta did not start the company from scratch. The entity was originally founded on February 14, 2025, under the name Arcturus 2025 SL, with a capital of 3,000 euros and located at Plaza de las Salesas, 7 in Madrid.
Initially, A.R. Montis Management SL was the sole shareholder, while Andrés Ruiz Manzano served as the administrator. The company's initial activities included business management consultancy, holding companies, accounting, tax advisory, audit intermediation, and specific real estate operations.
Two months post-establishment, a significant change occurred. On April 16, Ruiz Manzano stepped down as administrator, succeeded by Anido Cuesta, who also became the sole shareholder and redefined both the name and the mission of the company.
Registry records indicate that A.R. Montis Management has appeared as a founding partner in various newly established companies, with Ruiz Manzano involved in similar corporate operations. This pattern suggests a professional engagement in setting up companies for subsequent sale, a common and legal practice in the Spanish market.
Short-Lived Venture
Anido's tenure with Meridian Wealth Group was brief. On January 20, 2026, he stepped down as the sole administrator, became the liquidator, and the voluntary dissolution and termination of the company were documented in the BORME.
Anido officially controlled Meridian Wealth Group from April 16, 2025, until January 20, 2026. The short duration of his control period does not inherently indicate any anomaly, and available documents do not provide reasons for the company's liquidation.
Educational and Social Ties in Madrid
During his business activities, Anido Cuesta was already residing in Spain. In February 2025, CiberCuba reported his presence in the Plaza de la Platería de Martínez, a central area in Madrid with high housing costs.
Later, Martí Noticias disclosed that he was living in Madrid on a student visa, attending the National Taxation Program for Professionals at IE Business School, with tuition exceeding 12,300 euros. This program covers subjects such as tax planning, dispute resolution, and asset advisory.
While pursuing his education, he was also the owner and administrator of Meridian Wealth Group, targeting international clients, especially from Latin America and the Caribbean, for business and investment opportunities in Europe.
Public information does not clarify how he financed his studies or living expenses in Spain, nor the income generated from his business activities.
Connections with Cuban Legal Representatives
Anido Cuesta's time in Spain extended beyond studies and business. He was spotted with prominent figures in representing Cuban legal and economic interests abroad. In November 2024, he and actress Ana de Armas were photographed dining with Cuban lawyers Rodolfo Dávalos Fernández and Lourdes Dávalos León in Madrid.
Rodolfo Dávalos has a longstanding career within Cuba's legal and business frameworks, including high-profile cases with political implications for Havana. His daughter, Lourdes, manages a law firm in Madrid specializing in transactions and investments related to Cuba.
There is no evidence linking these lawyers to Meridian Wealth Group, but Anido's social ties provide insight into his life in Madrid beyond academia and business.
Anido's Ambiguous Role and U.S. Sanctions
Anido Cuesta, a law graduate from the University of Havana, has frequently accompanied Díaz-Canel on official trips, although no specific state role has been publicly disclosed to justify his presence.
In June 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury added Anido Cuesta to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. His inclusion occurred months after the dissolution of Meridian Wealth Group, and there is no evidence connecting the company's liquidation with the U.S. sanctions.
While public records do not substantiate any illicit activities by Anido Cuesta or Meridian Wealth Group, his business ventures and lifestyle in Spain raise questions about resource origins and the privileges afforded to the ruling elite's family members in Cuba.
His residency in a costly Madrid neighborhood, expensive education, and business endeavors contrast sharply with the economic hardships faced by the broader Cuban populace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anido Cuesta's Business in Spain
What was the purpose of Meridian Wealth Group under Anido Cuesta's control?
The company focused on providing strategic consultancy for international clients, particularly from Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to establish business ventures and investment platforms in Europe.
Did Anido Cuesta establish Meridian Wealth Group himself?
No, Anido Cuesta did not establish the company. He acquired it two months after its initial founding under the name Arcturus 2025 SL and subsequently changed its name and corporate mission.
Why was Anido Cuesta sanctioned by the United States?
The U.S. Department of the Treasury included Anido Cuesta in the Specially Designated Nationals list due to his familial connection to Lis Cuesta Peraza and likely political considerations, although specific details are not disclosed.