Castro grandson says he's willing to talk to U.S.: Report
· Toronto Sun
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The grandson of former Cuban leader Raul Castro has said that he’s open to talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, USA Today reported.
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In an exclusive interview, Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro said, “ I can negotiate with anyone designated by the U.S. If given the opportunity, (of course with) Trump.”
It was Rodriguez Castro’s first with an American media outlet, but what makes it bizarre is that the offer to negotiate comes as the 42-year-old holds no formal position with the Cuban government. And it comes days after Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told media that Havana was “not interested” in Trump’s opinion on issues of free-market reforms announced by the communist regime.
Rodriguez Castro serves as a bodyguard for his 95-year-old grandfather and is known as “El Cangrejo” or “The Crab,” as he was born with six fingers on his right hand. He told USA Today that under the right conditions, Cuba would release political prisoners.
Sanctions against Castros
In May the U.S. indicted Raul Castro with murder charges. It has also sanctioned several members of the Castro family, including Raul’s son, Alejandro Castro Espin, but not Rodriguez Castro. The indictment brought modern relations between the U.S. and Cuba to a low point.
Trump has been pushing for regime change in the island nation near Florida, where Fidel Castro took over as communist dictator following a 1959 revolution. The country is in crisis and along with sanctions, Trump has set up an oil blockade against the country. The Pentagon also has quietly drafted plans for potential military action there. Speculation has grown that after recent American military intervention in Venezuela, Cuba might be next.
Also in May, Cuba released the names of thousands of political prisoners granted amnesty by the regime while it was in talks with the U.S. over a range of political disputes.