Sandro Castro speaks about the change of government in Cuba and calls for openness: "Less bureaucracy and a bit more democracy."

Sandro Castro, grandson of Fidel Castro, during an exclusive interview with NBC, where he advocated for a free market, criticized the internal bureaucracy of the regime, and explicitly demanded a bit more democracy.

The statements come just two days after NBC aired the interview with Miguel Díaz-Canel on the program Meet the Press — the first by a Cuban leader on U.S. television in decades — during which the ruler denied the existence of political prisoners and refused to resign.

The young man, 33 years old, was emphatic in stating that Cuba needs not only a change of government, but a change of mindset, and that the system must open up to more economic freedom, less bureaucracy, and a bit more democracy.

Regarding the economic model, he left no room for doubt: "Yes, I would support it, as would many other people. Because there is a significant private sector in Cuba," he said when asked if he would back a capitalist Cuba.

Castro also pointed to the internal management of the regime as part of the problem, rather than placing all the responsibility on the U.S. embargo: "Here we sometimes have a mentally imposed internal blockade that affects us greatly. It almost harms us as much as the external blockade from the United States."

He also acknowledged the seriousness of the energy collapse that the island is experiencing: "We are truly facing a lot of difficulties with electricity, there are practically blackouts lasting up to 10, 20 hours on some days."

When asked about his grandfather's policies, he distanced himself without direct confrontation: "They were different times, moments in history that were different, generations that were different. What he did at that time is already done."

In a message directed to the diaspora, he invited the exile to return and invest: "I hope all these Cubans can come and invest here in this country as well."

Regarding the Trump administration, Sandro Castro expressed a nuanced stance: he supported the removal of restrictions on the Cuban private sector but questioned the coherence of the U.S. president. "The Trump administration is confusing. He says one thing today and then a week later says something else. It's hard to keep track," he stated.

He also rejected the tone with which Trump has spoken about Cuba: "I find the way he said it a bit arrogant. Cuba must always be respected above all else."

The NBC interview is Sandro Castro's second major international media appearance in just a few weeks. On March 30, he had already given an interview to CNN from Havana, in which he directly criticized Díaz-Canel —"For me, the president is not doing a good job"— and stated that "the majority of Cubans want capitalism, not communism". On that occasion, he also revealed that he had been summoned by the State Security due to his satirical videos, although he was released with a warning.

During the interview with NBC, Castro dismissed the criticisms regarding his alleged wealth: "I'm not a millionaire, I didn't inherit anything. I live in a very modest one-bedroom apartment, I have only one car," he assured, labeling the rumors about his fortune as "pure falsehood."