Fidel Castro Trafficked Cocaine From Cuba Like A ‘Godfather,’ Claims Former Bodyguard

While Fidel Castro has always been perceived by the West as shady at best and a sworn enemy at worst, a former bodyguard of the Cuban leader recently made allegations that Castro operated a sophisticated cocaine trafficking ring from Cuba, which he ran “like a Godfather.”

The claim, featured in a new tell-all book co-written by Juan Reinaldo Sanchez, who spent 17 years close to Castro, makes some interesting allegations.

As well as the claims of running drugs, Sanchez says Castro presided over the trials of two government officials and then forced him to watch one of the men’s executions.

In the new book, Sanchez outlines Castro’s drug operation.

“The lanchero would pay $75,000 – which, at a time of economic recession, wouldn’t go amiss. Fidel was all for it. I realized that the man for whom I had long sacrificed my life, the Líder whom I worshipped like a god and who counted more in my eyes than my own family was caught up in cocaine trafficking to such an extent that he was directing illegal operations like a real godfather.”

At the end of the aforementioned trial, Abrantes was reportedly sentenced to 25 years in prison for charges including negligence, abuse of office, and improper use of financial and military resources.

According to Sanchez, Castro told his younger brother, “If what’s worrying you is that what happened to Abrantes will happen to you, let me tell you that Abrantes no es mi hermano [is not my brother]! You and I have been united since we were children, for better and for worse. So, no, you are not going to experience Abrantes’ fate, unless… you persist with this deplorable behavior.”

The book, entitled The Double Life of Fidel Castro: My 17 Years as Personal Bodyguard to El Lider Maximo, written by Sanchez alongside author Axel Gyldén, is set to be published by St. Martin’s Press on May 12.

[Image credit: lalibre.be]