Sandro Castro, grandson of the dictator Fidel Castro, is once again at the center of controversy following the release of a video in which he is seen in Havana inside a two-seater convertible that has sustained damage.
The scene, captured by a passerby and shared on Facebook by the user Pilar de Cuba, shows the young man sitting calmly at the wheel while a man takes care of fixing the malfunction.
"Look who I have here, the Vampirach. Look at the little shotgun he has, the Vampirach, in person," is heard from the person filming the video.
The recording allows us to see Sandro for what he is: someone who has never had to strive because others are there to solve his problems.
The image of disdain and superiority it conveys could not be more eloquent about the elite's disconnection from the reality of the people.
Pilar de Cuba described the scene with irony: "Sandro Castro in his little toy, all worried about what Gerardo and the Fool are saying. His last name exempts him. Now things are getting interesting. It's a power struggle, and it's clear who holds the power."
The publication refers to the questions that the dictator's grandson has received from figures within the official government, including Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, the national coordinator of the CDR, and the spokesman El Necio, both visibly irritated by the impudent behavior of the young Castro.
But the young man, known for his ostentatious lifestyle and completely absurd posts, doesn't seem to be worried at all about the rejection his attitude generates.
On Friday, Ernesto Limia, historian and essayist, broke the regime's usual silence and published a text in which he bluntly called Sandro an "imbecile".
The writing, which sought to detach the dictatorial grandfather from the behavior of his grandson, nevertheless overlooked the web of privileges, protection, and access that has surrounded Sandro since his childhood.
Gerardo Hernández publicly supported the post with a brief "Amen," making it clear that patience in high circles is beginning to wear thin.
But beyond symbolic criticism, nothing seems to change in the reality of the young heir, who continues to circulate freely in luxury cars, starring in parties and ridiculing the misery of the Cuban people.
In another recent scene, Sandro shared a video in which he appeared in front of a classic car, holding a Cristal beer and dancing to the rhythm of his own urban track titled "La Cristach."
In other videos, there has been room for irony regarding the blackouts, making mocking references to UNE and ETECSA, and even posing in front of a United States flag, a symbol that was persecuted and punished in Cuba for decades.
Her posts are met with mockery and criticism, many of which reflect the exasperation of Cubans who see in her figure the embodiment of the shamelessness of the ruling elite.
The reactions of the dictatorship, which now tries to distance itself, are nothing more than belated gestures.
For years, Sandro Castro has been a public figure known for his boundless arrogance and ostentation: from his videos in a Mercedes during the pandemic to his private parties, collection cars, extravagant displays of alcohol, and increasingly erratic behavior.
The particular image with the American flag seems to have triggered final alarms in the ideological apparatus of the regime.
But all of this is not the individual responsibility of Sandro Castro. He is merely the most visible symptom of a system that has created, protected, and allowed characters like him to thrive.
His arrogance is nothing more than a reflection of the impunity inherited from his lineage. In a country where young people without connections face repression, prison, or exile for speaking out, he enjoys all possible privileges simply for being who he is, regardless of the symbolic damage he inflicts on Castroism.
The complicity of the regime's silence over the years, the wealth amassed without accountability, the access to goods denied to the people, and the disconnection from the daily life of the average Cuban, turn Sandro Castro into not just a grotesque caricature of power, but also a portrait of what the revolution has truly been: a machinery that preaches sacrifice while living in privilege.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sandro Castro and his behavior in Cuba
Why is Sandro Castro the subject of criticism in Cuba?
Sandro Castro is criticized for his ostentatious and provocative lifestyle, which starkly contrasts with the hardships faced by the Cuban people. His social media posts, showcasing luxury cars, private parties, and arrogant behavior, have sparked outrage, as they symbolize the privilege and disconnection of the ruling elite from the reality of the country.
What has been the Cuban regime's reaction to Sandro Castro's actions?
Although some figures from the ruling party have begun to publicly criticize Sandro Castro, the regime's response has largely been symbolic and has not resulted in significant changes in its behavior. This reflects a lack of will to address the privileges and impunity of the ruling elite.
What does Sandro Castro symbolize for the Cuban people?
Sandro Castro symbolizes the impunity and privilege of the ruling class in Cuba. His behavior and the reactions of the people reflect the frustration with a system that protects the powerful while repressing the ordinary citizen. His figure is a representation of the audacity and disconnection of the elite from the reality of the country.
How does Sandro Castro's impunity affect the perception of the Cuban regime?
The impunity of Sandro Castro reinforces the perception of inequality and privilege in the Cuban regime. While he enjoys luxuries and protection, other Cubans face repression for expressing themselves. This highlights the lack of justice and fairness in the system, increasing social discontent.
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