Michel Torres Corona, the host of the state-run show "Con Filo," took to his Facebook page to share a video snippet titled "WHAT YOU DIDN'T SEE," where he openly criticizes Sandro Castro—grandson of Fidel Castro—for comments made during a CNN interview, which the regime blocked from airing on television.
The censored clip responds to an interview Castro gave to CNN journalist Patrick Oppmann, recorded at his Havana apartment on March 30 and 31. In it, the Havana-based influencer criticized Miguel Díaz-Canel and openly expressed support for capitalism.
In the segment released on Wednesday, Torres Corona uses sharp language to target individuals like Sandro Castro, who criticize the government from positions of inherited privilege.
"It's infuriating to see people whose only achievement in life is being the fastest sperm, casually criticize the Cuban government and deny our socialist Constitution, approved by popular referendum, while posing as capitalists as if it's a game," he said.
The host also condemned the idea of joking about a "tour to the tyrant who suffocates Cuba," referring to Castro's comments about a potential rapprochement with the Trump administration.
Public Reaction to the Omission
The episode of "Con Filo" that aired on Tuesday, titled "It's Cold Without You, Trump," focused solely on mocking statements made by President Donald Trump about Cuba and the arrival of a Russian oil tanker carrying over 700,000 barrels of crude. It made no mention of Sandro Castro or his CNN interview.
This omission sparked a massive reaction among Cuban viewers, who ignored the program's proposed topic and demanded a discussion on Fidel's grandson.
"Why don't you dedicate one of your shows to Sandro Castro's interview? We need to critique everything, right?" one viewer asked.
Another was more blunt: "They won't talk about that; they know where it says DANGER," alluding to the regime's boundaries, even in its own propaganda.
Tensions Within the Propaganda Machine
The general perception is that "Con Filo" employs a double standard: it sarcastically attacks activists, independent journalists, and content creators critical of the government but remains silent on controversies involving the Castro elite.
In his CNN interview, Sandro Castro stated that most Cubans prefer capitalism over communism and harshly criticized Díaz-Canel: "In my opinion, he's not doing a good job because many things should have been done long ago and haven't, and that's harming us today."
By posting the censored segment on his personal wall, Torres Corona documented what the regime refused to let Cubans see, highlighting internal tensions within the state's own propaganda apparatus.
As far back as May 2025, internet users had already been commenting sarcastically that "Con Filo" would never dare to criticize Sandro Castro.
A Cuban social media user summed it up: "Sandrito has said worse things than Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente and the El4tico crew and yet remains free... so go ahead, we're expecting a good report."
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sandro Castro Controversy
Why was the video clip featuring Sandro Castro censored?
The video clip was censored by the regime because Sandro Castro criticized Miguel Díaz-Canel and expressed pro-capitalist views, which are contrary to the government's socialist policies.
What did Sandro Castro say in his CNN interview?
In his interview with CNN, Sandro Castro stated that most Cubans prefer capitalism over communism and criticized Díaz-Canel for not taking necessary actions, which he believes are negatively impacting the country.
How did the public react to the omission of Sandro Castro's interview in "Con Filo"?
The omission led to widespread dissatisfaction among viewers, with many demanding that the show address Sandro Castro's interview, highlighting a perceived double standard in the program's approach to criticism.