Most Cubans remain in the dark about Manuel Anido Cuesta, the son of Lis Cuesta Peraza and the so-called "advisor" to his stepfather, Miguel Díaz-Canel. Recently, he's been spotted in Madrid romantically linked with Cuban actress Ana de Armas. Those who follow independent Cuban media might recognize him from his occasional appearances in official delegations accompanying Díaz-Canel on international trips.
Anido Cuesta has reportedly been introduced to the Pope as "the opposition within the family" during a visit to the Vatican. He also traveled to the United Arab Emirates, allegedly advising his stepfather. A law graduate from the University of Havana, Anido Cuesta is known for flaunting luxury items, such as the $1,385 Montblanc briefcase he was seen with in the Middle East. Despite these public expenditures, Cubans remain unaware of his actual role within the Cuban government, raising questions about the public funds spent on his lifestyle and travels.
The Enigmatic Role of Anido Cuesta
What exactly does Anido Cuesta advise Díaz-Canel on? Is he an expert in energy, economics, international trade, agriculture, or industry? Could he be Díaz-Canel's image consultant, protocol chief, or an international relations expert? Is he part of the diplomatic service, or does he draw a salary from the Council of State? Could he be the "gray eminence" behind the scenes, influencing policies on political repression and potentially involved in the imprisonment of over a thousand political prisoners? Or is he merely orchestrating the so-called "fraudulent change" in Cuba's political landscape? Perhaps he manages the social media accounts of his mother or stepfather.
Anido Cuesta's Silent Public Persona
Despite being a public employee funded by Cuban taxpayers, Anido Cuesta's qualifications and contributions remain a mystery, aside from his privileged family connections. What was the subject of his university thesis, and what postgraduate studies has he pursued? Are there any articles, research papers, or policy analyses authored by him? Aside from being his mother's "darling boy," what other academic or professional credentials justify his role as Díaz-Canel's advisor?
Remarkably, Cubans have little insight into Anido Cuesta's thoughts or public discourse. He has never appeared in public forums like the National Assembly of People's Power or other official state media outlets. His presence remains an enigma.
A Glimpse into Anido Cuesta's Thoughts
Nevertheless, some traces of Anido Cuesta's public expression have surfaced. In December 2014, at around 18 years old, a person bearing his name left comments on Cubadebate, a state-run media outlet. These comments were in response to a speech by General Raúl Castro titled "The Five Are Now in Cuba," commemorating the return of five Cuban spies from the United States and a significant propaganda victory for the Cuban regime.
Anido Cuesta's comments celebrated the event, declaring, "The Five heroes back in the homeland and the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US, the first step towards ending the economic blockade. A great year. After more than 50 years of struggle, the victory is ours. We proved to be unyielding... Glory be to our people and the giants that are Fidel and Raúl! The courage and steadfastness of Cubans once again resonate worldwide. Long live Cuba and the Revolution!"
His remarks, while echoing the regime's rhetoric, offer little originality or depth. Yet, they hint at his alignment with the regime's celebratory narrative. In 2019, someone using the name Manuel Anido Cuesta expressed similar sentiments, praising the Cuban people and the Revolution. At the time, his name was even less known than today, as he strolls through Madrid's nightlife while his "advised" stepfather leads Cuba into chaos, transforming it into a dysfunctional state ruled by a criminal elite selling off the country at bargain prices.