ICE Detains Former Cuban Diplomat with Ties to Raul Castro

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended Jorge Javier Rodriguez Cabrera, a 37-year-old former diplomat from Cuba, linked closely to the grandson of former dictator Raul Castro. This news surfaced on Tuesday.

Rodriguez Cabrera was taken into custody in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he had set up a shipping company serving Cuba, boasting over 12 offices across different US cities. Sources from ICE indicated to Marti Noticias that he is currently facing a rapid deportation process that may lead to his swift return to Cuba.

Reportedly, Rodriguez Cabrera entered the US through the southern border in 2022, accompanied by his wife, Isabea Rapetti, and their children as they sought political asylum. Confirmations from Martí Tovecias revealed that his family members have obtained permanent resident status in the U.S.

Details regarding Rodriguez Cabrera’s long-standing association with the Cuban regime and his diplomatic history were shared by Marti Noticias. Luis Dominguez, a researcher with the Foundation of Cuba, explained that Rodriguez Cabrera’s connections were strengthened through his relationship with Raul Guillermo “Crab” Rodriguez Castro. The latter is the grandson and bodyguard of Raul Castro, which reportedly facilitated Rodriguez Cabrera’s entry into the US.

Archived photographs from 2015 show an encounter between Raul Castro and Rodriguez Cabrera during a visit to the US when former President Barack Obama implemented significant concessions to the Cuban regime.

In a 2023 publication by América Tevé, Rodriguez Cabrera and Castro’s grandson were captured enjoying luxurious experiences that are inaccessible to the average Cuban, who has faced economic hardships for decades. Photographs showed them celebrating aboard yachts, despite the restrictions faced by ordinary citizens in Cuba.

After seeking asylum in 2022, Rodriguez Cabrera settled in Nevada, engaging in various small businesses. In November 2024, he registered “Gran Azul LLC,” which provides logistics and delivery services to Cuba. According to documents examined by Marti Noticias, Rodriguez Cabrera is listed as the entity’s manager alongside Marcel Blanco Fernandez.

Gran Azul LLC operates in multiple cities, offering various services, including travel packages and express delivery to Cuban addresses.

Claudia Padrón Cueto, a journalist at Cubannet, highlighted that businesses like his often have affiliations with the Cuban regime, noting that such models became more prevalent during the pandemic.

“I think a lot of these successful shipping companies are directly tied to the government, often run by intermediaries,” said Padrón Cueto.

Marti Noticias indicated that Rodriguez Cabrera’s swift business success has raised eyebrows within the Cuban Diaspora community.

A relative of Rodriguez Cabrera confidentially detailed how he met “the Crab” through his wife, who was friends with Raul’s granddaughter’s mother. Although their friendship faded, Rodriguez Cabrera remained connected to him, reportedly assisting with various tasks, including shopping in the US and Mexico.

Despite efforts to contact Rodriguez Cabrera before his detention, he did not respond to interview requests. Marti Noticias reported that when they called a number associated with him, a man with a Cuban accent denied knowing him. Shortly afterward, his social media account disappeared, and attempts to reach Marcel Blanco Fernandez were also blocked.