Idalmis Menéndez, the former daughter-in-law of Fidel Castro, reacted strongly to the recent statements made by Sandro Castro in international media, where the late leader's grandson asserted that he does not enjoy privileges and lives "like any Cuban."
From his personal experience within the family unit, Menéndez dismantled that narrative and presented a diametrically opposed version.
In an interview with journalist Mario J. Pentón, the ex-wife of Álex Castro Soto del Valle - one of Fidel Castro's sons - stated that she felt "horrified" by what she heard in the young man's remarks.
"I have been very indignant," he confessed.
"I could even come to understand that Sandro was born into this family, lived his childhood, and perhaps as a child he was not aware... but Sandro grew up and today he is an adult and cannot deny the world that he lived in a protected environment," he added.
Menéndez lived for several years within the Punto Cero complex, the residential enclave of the Castro family, and claims that his testimony is based on what he witnessed firsthand.
"I lived for four years inside Punto Cero and they all had food on the table, they had guaranteed meals, and for a Cuban, not only now but always, that has been a guarantee... that alone is a privilege," he emphasized.
"You do have privileges, Sandro."
For the former daughter-in-law, the influencer's attempt to portray himself as an ordinary citizen is not only false but also offensive to those who have lived through decades of scarcity on the Island.
"Yes, you have privileges, Sandro, because you were born in the heart of power.", she stated emphatically.
According to his account, Fidel's grandson grew up surrounded by comforts that were inaccessible to most Cubans, especially during the toughest years of the Special Period.
He also referred to other everyday benefits that made a difference: "They really had luxuries because every vacation they went to Varadero, and most children in Cuba can't go to Varadero. You can't deny that you've had privileges."
Business, contacts, and protection
One of the most compelling points of her testimony focuses on family relationships with foreign businessmen and how, according to her, these have directly benefited Sandro Castro.
“Sandro has taken advantage of all those connections through his parents. If not, how has he managed to establish all these businesses? All the relationships he has come from his last name Castro,” he asserted.
Menéndez explained that during his time with the family, he witnessed how relationships were managed with businesspeople.
"Rebeca, Sandro's mother, asked foreign businessmen for numerous things... because the businessmen wanted to maintain good relations with the family," she asserted.
In his view, this web of relationships not only facilitates economic opportunities but also ensures impunity.
"No one touches him because he is the grandson of the dictator Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz and the grandnephew of Raúl Castro Ruz," he stated.
This protection, he argues, is key to understanding both his businesses and his public exposure, which is very different from that of other Cubans.
"Her freedom to speak, operate, and showcase herself contrasts sharply with the fate of many Cubans who, for expressing much lesser criticisms, end up detained," she stated.
Critiques of the discourse on Fidel Castro
The ex-daughter-in-law also outright rejected Sandro's statements in which he defended the figure of his grandfather.
“He says that his grandfather had principles and that he respected others. Look, I believe that at this point, that is a huge disrespect to the Cuban people,” he said.
And he added, "Sandro must know very well that on his grandfather's shoulders there are many political prisoners, many who have been murdered."
In his speech, Menéndez directly held Fidel Castro responsible for the current system in Cuba: “The political and economic system we have today was conceived by his grandfather along with his great-uncle, who are two drug dictator.”
"Why don't you confront your family?"
Beyond material privileges, Menéndez's criticism also targets what he sees as an inconsistency in Sandro Castro's discourse, who has declared himself a capitalist without openly questioning his family environment.
“What is Sandro here to tell us? What does he want to sell us? Does he want capitalism? Why doesn't he raise his voice and truly confront his family?”, he questioned.
For her, it's not about ignorance, but rather a conscious stance: "He's not a child. He's an adult who has had enough time to understand the system in which he grew up."
He even went further in his personal assessments of the influencer: “He's a guy who seems to lack the intellectual capacity to express himself.”
A difficult contrast to maintain
Menéndez's statements add to the criticism surrounding Sandro Castro's public image, which is marked by displays of luxury—such as high-end vehicles and exclusive businesses—in a country where the majority face power outages, shortages, and low wages.
That contrast, according to Fidel's ex-daughter-in-law, invalidates any attempt to present himself as "just another Cuban."
"In his appearance on CNN, he mocks the accumulated pain of the Cuban people," he stated.
And he concluded with a central idea: Sandro speaks "from the comfort afforded to him by his last name, privileges, and the protection of the system."
Filed under: