Sandro Castro, the grandson of Fidel Castro, posted a video on social media this Wednesday where, draped in a Cuban flag, he delivered a messianic message to the Cuban people: "We're suffering now, but a purge will follow, and over time, our wounds will heal."
This video comes just 24 hours after Sandro gave an interview to CNN, where he criticized President Miguel Díaz-Canel for not doing a good job and claimed that most Cubans desire capitalism instead of communism.
In this new video, Sandro addresses his followers directly "from the most beautiful island in the world, amidst so much darkness," making a plea that combines empathy with a personal spotlight.
"We must remain united, do not lose faith or hope. More than your vampire, I will be your angel of light. Keep trusting in me," he asserts.
The rhetoric is striking coming from Sandro, grandson of the former dictator Fidel Castro and one of the most visible faces of that family in Cuba.
He is also the owner of the exclusive Bar EFE in Vedado, with an entry fee of 1,000 Cuban pesos monthly and a minimum consumption of 15,000 pesos per table—more than twice the average salary of 6,500 pesos—while the people he claims to represent face blackouts, food shortages, and a structural crisis with no visible resolution.
Independent analysts and journalists question whether Sandro's statements represent genuine dissent or, as some analyses suggest, "a recalibration of discourse, not necessarily a change of system; a calculated management of discontent, not necessarily an opening."
In the CNN interview, conducted by correspondent Patrick Oppmann in his Havana apartment, Sandro described himself as "a revolutionary of ideas, progress, and change" and denied having privileges due to his last name: "I am just like any other citizen," he claimed.
Journalist Luz Escobar criticized the interview as a "whitewashing" due to the lack of probing questions, noting that the format favored the public image of Fidel's grandson without subjecting him to real scrutiny.
Sandro Castro's behavior pattern is full of contradictions. In this video, he appears wrapped in a Cuban flag, a gesture that has resulted in years of imprisonment for several activists on the island.
The New York Times profiled him on March 21, 2026, as a symbol of privilege amid the Cuban crisis, while he builds an image as a critical voice of the regime from the comfort of someone who has never suffered the consequences of 67 years of communist dictatorship.
Key Questions About Sandro Castro's Recent Statements
What message did Sandro Castro convey in his recent video?
Sandro Castro expressed that Cuba is currently suffering but promised a future purge and healing of wounds over time.
How did Sandro Castro criticize the Cuban government in his CNN interview?
In his CNN interview, Sandro Castro criticized President Miguel Díaz-Canel for inadequate leadership and stated that most Cubans prefer capitalism over communism.
Why is Sandro Castro's rhetoric seen as contradictory?
Sandro Castro's rhetoric is seen as contradictory because, while he positions himself as a critic of the regime, he simultaneously enjoys privileges and wealth, distancing him from the reality faced by ordinary Cubans.