Under the hood of Cuba's power structure: The regime's key figures

The Cuban political system is formally structured around the Communist Party of Cuba, but in practice, power is organized on three levels: the historical core of Castroism, the military and security apparatus, and the civilian government that manages the administration of the state. Around it operates an economic network dominated by companies linked to the military.

The historical core of power                                                                                                              

Raúl CastroHe is still considered the architect of the current model of power.

For decades, real power in Cuba was concentrated in the figure of Raúl Castro, brother of Fidel Castro and one of the main commanders of the 1959 revolution. After assuming the presidency of the regime in 2008, Raúl consolidated a system in which the military became the country's main political and economic player.

Although he officially retired from that position in 2018 and stepped down from the leadership of the Communist Party in 2021, he is still considered the architect of the current model of power. Under his leadership, the role of the Revolutionary Armed Forces was strengthened in key sectors of the economy, especially tourism, foreign trade and finance.

Raúl Castro also pushed for a controlled transition to a new generation of leaders, ensuring that the military and security apparatus would continue to be the true mainstay of the political system.

Military and economic power

The second level, and for many analysts the most decisive, is the military-business complex that controls much of the Cuban economy.

Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA)

GAESA is the business conglomerate controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces. It manages some of the most lucrative sectors in the country:

It is estimated to control between 40% and 70% of the Cuban economy, depending on the calculation.

For years it was headed by Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, an army general and Raúl Castro's ex-son-in-law, who was long considered the most powerful man in the Cuban economy until his death in 2022.

Under his leadership, GAESA became the economic core of the regime. Numerous analysts and Western governments pointed to the financial opacity of the conglomerate, since a large part of its operations are not subject to public or legislative control.

Rodríguez López-Calleja was sanctioned by the U.S. government for his role in the control of this business system.

A key but unofficial piece: Raúl Guillermo "El Cangrejo" Rodríguez Castro                 

Raúl Guillermo "El Cangrejo" Rodríguez Castro, grandson of Raúl Castro, has established himself as a figure of enormous influence within the Cuban power elite. The son of Débora Castro Espín and the late General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, who headed the powerful military conglomerate GAESA, Raúl Guillermo holds strategic positions within the Ministry of the Interior and his grandfather's personal security.

His role as head of the General Directorate of Personal Security places him at the heart of decision-making, controlling access to Raúl Castro and ensuring the protection of one of the regime's most important—if not the most important—leaders on the island. Although he has no official title in the government or the Communist Party, his proximity to the top gives him real power that transcends any formal position.

His influence extends beyond security, being linked to the economic and political network that sustains the continuity of the regime. Because of his privileged position and family connections, he has been singled out as a possible intermediary in discreet negotiations, and even as a key player in political transition scenarios, albeit confidentially. The combination of access, family loyalty and control over protection mechanisms makes "El Cangrejo" a strategic figure within the fabric of Cuba's power structure, an example of how personal ties to leadership can translate into real authority within a highly centralized system.

Also attributed to him are multiple entertainment and leisure businesses on the island, while the country languishes in the worst crisis in its recent history.

The security and intelligence apparatus

The maintenance of the Cuban political system depends to a large extent on an extensive state security apparatus, in charge of internal surveillance, intelligence and political control.

Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas

Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas is the minister of the interior and responsible for the state security system. Under his ministry are:

Various human rights organizations have claimed these structures play a major role in the surveillance of opponents, activists and independent journalists. His ministry is considered as one of those most responsible for the repression in Cuba.

Alejandro Castro Espín

Alejandro Castro Espín is an intelligence colonel and the son of Raúl Castro. Although he does not hold a particularly visible public position, he is considered one of the regime's top national security strategists.

He participated in the secret negotiations that led to the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States in 2014. His influence is mainly linked to the field of intelligence and strategic security.

Journalistic sources recently reported that, with the mediation of Mexico, Colonel Castro Espín is leading negotiations with CIA agents to carry out a transition on the island.

Formal political leadership, but no real power

Miguel Díaz-Canel

Miguel Díaz-Canel is the current president of Cuba and first secretary of the Communist Party. An electronics engineer by training, he rose through the decades within the political apparatus to become the successor chosen by Raúl Castro.

Although he formally holds the highest office in the state, many analysts believe that his power is limited by the weight of the military and party structures.

His government has faced a deep economic and social crisis, marked by food shortages, inflation and energy blackouts. His figure has also come under fire following the crackdown on mass protests on July 11, 2021, the largest anti-government demonstrations in decades.

Manuel Marrero Cruz

Manuel Marrero Cruz has served as prime minister since 2019. He previously served for years as minister of tourism, one of the most important sectors of the Cuban economy.

His role is mainly focused on the administrative management of the government, overseeing ministries and economic policies: one ill-advised decision after another.

Several reports connect him to a luxurious life and great privileges that he extends to his family, while asking for sacrifices from the people.

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla is the minister of foreign Affairs and principal international spokesman for the Cuban regime. A career diplomat, he has been a central figure in the defense of the dictatorship in international forums, especially in debates on economic sanctions and human rights.

Álvaro López Miera

Álvaro López Miera serves as the minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. A military veteran close to Raúl Castro, he is responsible for the country's military apparatus.

Following the 2021 protests, he was placed on sanctions lists by the U.S. government due to his role within the state security system.

Ramiro Valdés

Ramiro Valdés Menéndez is one of the historical commanders of the revolution and an emblematic figure of the most hard-line wing of the regime. He was minister of the interior in the early years of the revolutionary government and later held various government positions.

For decades, Valdés has been associated with the development of the state security and surveillance apparatus.

The latest reports on his health assure that he remains hospitalized in critical condition, suffering from a serious illness alongside likely complications due to old age. He will turn 94 years old next April.