Raul Castro's Grandson Tried to Deliver Letter to Trump Directly

The attempt to bypass diplomatic channels was thwarted at the US border, a new report reveals.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:21am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty airport terminal with a lone security checkpoint, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of political tension and diplomacy.A clandestine diplomatic attempt to bypass official channels reflects the ongoing political tensions between Cuba and the United States.Havana Today

According to The Wall Street Journal, the grandson of former Cuban leader Raul Castro allegedly tried to personally deliver a letter to former US President Donald Trump, bypassing diplomatic channels. The grandson reportedly enlisted the help of a wealthy Havana businessman to carry the letter, but the businessman was stopped and turned back at the US border, where the letter was seized by customs officials.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and lack of direct communication between the Cuban government and the United States, even after the easing of relations during the Obama administration. It suggests the Cuban government was seeking a more direct line to the US president, potentially to avoid criticism from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a vocal critic of Cuba's policies.

The details

The Wall Street Journal reports that Raul Castro's grandson attempted to personally deliver the letter to Trump in order to avoid going through diplomatic channels. The grandson enlisted the help of a wealthy Havana businessman to carry the letter across the border, but the businessman was stopped by US Border and Customs Service officers at the airport and the letter was seized.

  • The incident allegedly occurred in 2026.

The players

Raul Castro

Former president of Cuba and grandfather of the individual who allegedly tried to deliver the letter to Trump.

Donald Trump

Former president of the United States who the letter was allegedly intended for.

Marco Rubio

Current US Secretary of State who is a vocal critic of Cuba's policies.

Havana businessman

The individual enlisted by Raul Castro's grandson to carry the letter across the border to the United States.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and lack of direct communication between the Cuban government and the United States, even as relations have eased in recent years. It suggests the Cuban government was seeking a more direct line to the US president, potentially to avoid criticism from Secretary of State Rubio, a vocal critic of Cuba's policies.