Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro linked to Cuban smuggling network

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as “El Cangrejo” and grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro, has been linked to a criminal organization known as the “Quintana Roo Cuban Mafia.” According to judicial documents reviewed by The New York Times, Rodríguez Castro is alleged to have used his influence within Cuban power circles to protect a large-scale smuggling operation involving human trafficking and illicit goods between Cuba, Mexico, and the United States.

Testimonies from members of the criminal network, which was dismantled by U.S. federal authorities in 2020, suggest that Rodríguez Castro facilitated the safe passage of gang members and the entry of goods purchased with stolen credit cards into Cuba. In exchange, he allegedly received luxury items, including watches, motorcycles, and designer clothing, as bribes. The criminal group reportedly used boats stolen from Florida to clandestinely transport migrants.

While Rodríguez Castro has not been formally charged, he is described as a significant figure in diplomatic dialogues between Washington and Havana. The Cuban government has dismissed the allegations as “calumnias” (slander) and denied any connection to the criminal organization.