Who Is Manuel Anido Cuesta? Ana de Armas’ Rumored Boyfriend and Stepson of Cuba’s President

The latest romantic chapter in the life of Knives Out star Ana de Armas has stirred significant buzz—and controversy—among fans and observers alike.

On November 12, de Armas was spotted in Madrid sharing a kiss with Manuel Anido Cuesta, a lawyer and the alleged stepson of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. Anido Cuesta’s mother, Lis Cuesta Peraza, is Díaz-Canel’s second wife, positioning him as a prominent figure within Cuba’s presidential family.

Background on Manuel Anido Cuesta

Anido Cuesta holds a law degree from the University of Havana, where he studied between 2014 and 2019, according to La Nación. As a member of Díaz-Canel’s family, he has been involved in official events and international trips, including a meeting with Pope Francis, according to People en Español. Some reports describe him as an advisor to his stepfather, which has fueled debates about his ties to Cuba’s political regime.

Relationship Spotlight

The rumored romance between Ana de Armas and Manuel Anido Cuesta became public when published photos of the pair sharing a kiss and enjoying a dinner date in Madrid. De Armas, dressed in a white wrap coat, and Anido Cuesta, wearing a navy jacket, were also photographed walking a dog together.

Although neither de Armas nor Anido Cuesta has officially confirmed their relationship, the actress’s past statements hint at her preference to keep her personal life private. Reflecting on her highly publicized relationship with Ben Affleck, she told Elle in July 2022 that the constant attention was overwhelming and contributed to her decision to leave Los Angeles.

“It was one of the reasons I left Los Angeles… Everything became too much. There was no way out. There was no escape at all,” de Armas said.

Public Reaction and Controversy

Despite her attempts to keep her personal life low-profile, de Armas’s connection to Anido Cuesta has sparked backlash, particularly among Cuban expatriates and activists. Critics have taken to her social media accounts, prompting the actress to restrict comments on her posts.

The controversy has extended to her professional life, with some calling for brands like Louis Vuitton to sever ties with the actress. Under a Louis Vuitton Instagram post featuring de Armas, critics accused her of aligning with Cuba’s government, which they view as oppressive.

One prominent critic, fashion and travel influencer Luis Caballero, expressed disappointment, writing:

“It’s disheartening when someone, especially a Cuban, associates with a regime that has caused so much suffering and oppression to our people. For any Cuban to not only support such a regime but also enter its inner circle—by dating Díaz-Canel’s stepson and advisor—feels like a betrayal to the shared fight for freedom and justice.”

Ana de Armas’s Romantic History

This is not the first time Ana de Armas’s relationships have made headlines. She previously dated several high-profile individuals:

• Ben Affleck: The pair met while filming Deep Water in late 2019 and dated publicly for nearly a year before their amicable split in January 2021. Reports suggested conflicting priorities were the main reason, with de Armas wanting to leave Los Angeles while Affleck needed to stay for his children.
• Paul Boukadakis: Later in 2021, de Armas began dating the Tinder executive, keeping their relationship relatively private. They made a few public appearances, including the 2022 Venice International Film Festival and the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty. Their relationship reportedly ended in November 2024.

This timeline aligns with de Armas’s first public appearance with Manuel Anido Cuesta, sparking rumors of a new chapter in her romantic life—and further fueling the debate surrounding her personal and political associations.