Raúl Castro's Grandson Linked to Cuban Trafficking Ring in Mexico, NYT Reports

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro and a key figure in U.S.-Cuba dialogue, is reportedly linked to a Cuban human trafficking ring in Mexico. The New York Times revealed that court documents accuse Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," of leveraging his influence on the island to shield a large-scale smuggling operation. This network allegedly moved people out of Cuba while also importing illegal goods.

According to the report, Rodríguez Castro facilitated the entry of merchandise into Cuba, paid for with stolen credit cards, in exchange for luxury items. He also allegedly allowed the free movement of wanted criminals. The "Cuban Mafia of Quintana Roo," as the group was known for its operations in the Mexican state, faced a U.S. federal investigation in 2020, leading to lengthy prison sentences for over 20 members.

While "El Cangrejo" has not been charged and it remains unclear if he is under investigation, his name was mentioned to U.S. prosecutors by at least two members of the criminal organization. They reportedly identified him as a collaborator who ensured safe passage for members into and out of Cuba. The U.S. Department of Justice stated the group used stolen boats from Florida to smuggle Cubans to the United States.

Notable individuals allegedly transported by the network include professional baseball players like Adeiny Hechavarría and Yasiel Puig. Havana has dismissed these accusations as "slander." Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Carlos R. Fernández de Cossío told The New York Times that while criminal organizations profit from migrant trafficking in Latin America, they have no connection to the Cuban government.