Unlike her father, who regularly referred to him as "Señor Presidente", she was less formal, choosing instead to address Castro as "Fidel". Merel often amicably slapped Castro on the shoulder, an approach he appreciated and one that helped build his trust in her.
Unlike her father's formal address of Castro ("Señor Presidente"), Merel adopted a more casual approach, using "Fidel" as a term of familiarity. Her friendly physical contact with him, such as slapping him on the shoulder, fostered a sense of trust and rapport between them.