Sun Dec 14 06:30:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Lehder Claims Medellín Cartel Had Deep Ties to Castro Regime, Offers Details of Cuban Drug Route

Miami, FL – December 14, 2025 – In a bombshell interview on the “Más allá del silencio” podcast, former drug kingpin Carlos Lehder has revealed previously unknown details about the alleged relationship between the Medellín Cartel and Fidel and Raúl Castro’s Cuban government during the 1980s. Lehder claims the Castro regime sought to establish its own cocaine trafficking route to the United States, leveraging the cartel’s expertise.

Lehder, whose claims are detailed in his book “Vida y muerte del cartel de Medellín,” says he was invited to Cuba in 1981 and met with Colonel Tony de la Guardia, later executed by the Castro regime on drug trafficking charges. The ex-narco states that the Cubans proposed using a Cuban island as a “springboard” for cocaine shipments, with the regime controlling the finances through its banks. Lehder, however, deemed the proposal “ridiculous” as he felt the cartel would be giving up control.

According to Lehder, while he himself did not pursue the Cuban connection, he believes Pablo Escobar did. He claims the same Cuban officials who initially approached him were later implicated in drug trafficking linked to Escobar.

Lehder also recounted a brief meeting with Raúl Castro, during which Castro allegedly made veiled references to the revolution, suggesting that any deals would be sanctioned at the highest levels of the Cuban government. The alleged arrangement involved the cartel paying $1,000 per kilo of cocaine, with “cinnamon” as the code word. Lehder believes the DEA was aware of the operation, triggering panic within the regime that led to the scapegoating and execution of certain military officials.

Lehder’s claims add fuel to long-standing allegations of Cuban government involvement in drug trafficking. These allegations have been strongly denied by the Cuban government. It remains to be seen whether Lehder’s revelations will lead to further investigations or renewed scrutiny of the Castro regime’s alleged ties to the Medellín Cartel.

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