The Power Brokers: Who is Negotiating Cuba’s Fate?

As secret talks between Washington and Havana surface, we profile the six figures—from Donald Trump to Raul Castro—who hold the keys to Cuba's political survival.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 9:18 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

The American Negotiators

Donald Trump (U.S. President): Following the removal of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, Trump is applying a "Maximum Pressure" playbook to Cuba. He has publicly stated a desire to "take Cuba" but is currently balancing the island's crisis against the ongoing war with Iran.

Marco Rubio (Secretary of State & NSA): A Cuban-American from Miami, Rubio is the chief architect of the talks. He faces a delicate balance: satisfying the anti-Communist diaspora in South Florida while avoiding a migration crisis or a security vacuum that organized crime could exploit.

The Cuban Old Guard and Secret Envoys

Raúl Castro (94, Army General): Though officially retired, Castro remains the "single unifying leader." He recently postponed the Communist Party Congress indefinitely, signaling his continued veto power over major state transitions.

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro ("El Cangrejo"): The 41-year-old grandson of Raúl Castro is the most intriguing figure in the talks. Reports from Axios and the Miami Herald suggest he has been holding secret meetings with Rubio's team, acting as a bridge between the Castro family’s interests and the U.S. government.