Chat Fools Fidel Castro's Son

From the BBC:

A Cuban exile blogger from Miami says he used a female internet alter ego to gain access to a member of the usually impervious family of Fidel Castro.

Luis Dominguez said he used the character to begin an online relationship with 40-year-old Antonio, the son of ex-leader Mr Castro.

He refused to apologise for the deception, saying he wanted to show the "opulent lifestyles" of the Castros.

Cuban authorities have made no comment regarding the online chats.

Daily life

Many internet users have engaged in a series of flirtatious chats only to find the person they have met online is not who they say they are.


In Cuba people are put in prison for no reason at all. Their rights are violated... So, why can't I do the same thing to them? I have no remorse whatsoever
Luis Dominguez

As anyone who covers Cuban politics and the Castro family knows, gaining access of any sort is far from easy.

The Castro family has had a massive security cordon around it for decades - in large part due to the many attempts to remove the island's communist government from power.

Mr Dominguez used Antonio Castro's alleged weakness for young women and sports.

Mr Dominguez created Claudia, a 27-year-old Colombian sports journalist.

Claudia made contact with Antonio and they chatted on and off for an eight-month period.

Antonio shared details of his daily life in Cuba and his trips around the world with his uncle Raul, the Cuban president, but did not reveal any state secrets.

However, Mr Dominguez says that by showing what he describes as the opulent lifestyles the Castros live in a communist country like Cuba he has achieved his aim.

Mr Dominguez has published pictures and documents of his chats with the younger Mr Castro on his blog.

He refuses to apologise for violating Antonio Castro's privacy.

"I'm a Cuban and I'm a Cuban American and I have not been able to go back to my country since 1971 when I left.

"I use whatever tools I have to be able to get back at these people. In Cuba people are put in prison for no reason at all. Their rights are violated... So, why can't I do the same thing to them? I have no remorse whatsoever."

The Cuban authorities have made no comment about the chats, but Claudia says the relationship has gone cold.