Even claims about a supposed letter from Castro’s late son, Fidelito, calling Trudeau his “half-brother,” have been completely unverified and originated from anonymous internet posts, not from credible news or Cuban state sources. The story persists largely because of the visual resemblance between Trudeau and Castro and the public fascination with political figures — a reminder of how easily misinformation can take on a life of its own in the digital age. The origins of the Castro–Trudeau rumor can be traced to a mix of fascination with political dynasties, Cold War intrigue, and the power of modern misinformation.
During the 1970s, Pierre Trudeau, then Prime Minister of Canada, pursued a distinct foreign policy of engagement with communist countries — including Cuba. This was unusual at the time, given that most Western nations maintained diplomatic distance from Fidel Castro’s government. When Pierre and Margaret Trudeau visited Havana in January 1976, it was a landmark event. The visit was warm and informal by diplomatic standards — photographs from the time show the Trudeaus and Castro sharing laughter, embraces, and public affection. Castro even became godfather to their youngest son, Michel Trudeau.
