https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/14/americas/cuba-raul-castro-raulito-latam-intl
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as “Raulito” or “the Crab,” grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, made rare public appearances on March 13, 2026, alongside President Miguel Díaz-Canel at key Communist Party and government meetings amid Cuba’s severe economic crisis.
Cuba faces worsening shortages of food, fuel, and power, compounded by U.S. sanctions and the recent U.S. removal of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, which cut vital oil supplies.
Unverified reports suggest Raulito, 41, a former head of Raúl Castro’s personal security with no formal party role, has held secret talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Cuba’s future, bypassing official channels. His visibility is seen by analysts and many Cubans as a possible signal of a generational leadership shift or impending negotiations with the U.S., as Washington pushes for major reforms in Havana. Raúl Castro’s influence reportedly continues behind the scenes.
Following the removal of Maduro, Venezuela has been ont he road to rebuilding its government. With the help of the US government, Venezuela can grow and fix its government to benefit the people and create a better future for the population. This rehabilitation period has been bad news for Cuba, as they formerly relied on Venezuela oil trade. Cuba is against US involvement in Venezuela, and generally US presence in South American affairs. Castro is probably advocating for these ideas, but also serving as a representative for Cuba while compromising with US to achieve an outcome which serves both countries. This creates a bad situation for the US, because now tensions are beginning to grow between the two countries which could eventually spread throughout or beyond the region.
The US could offer cooperation to support the rehabilitation of Venezuela and the economic crisis in Cuba. If the US can stabilize relations with the Cuban government, they can prevent any further development of conflict in the southern region of the western hemisphere.
This is an example of a liberal approach as a opposed to a realist approach. If the US were to take a realist approach it would have complete control over the region and how it chooses to recover following the removal of Maduro. Instead of acting as a hegemon, the US is working with leaders to rebuild and this resembles a more liberal approach as it focuses on a cooperative strategy highlighting democratic values.