Sandro Castro, the flamboyant Havana-based influencer and grandson of Fidel Castro, took to Instagram stories this Friday to express his delight over the Cuban regime's pardon of more than 2,000 prisoners. In a video blending Easter blessings with a call to party "as if there were no tomorrow," Castro shared his reaction to the announcement.
On Thursday, the Cuban regime declared the pardoning of 2,010 inmates as a "humanitarian gesture" for Easter. This marks the fifth such pardon since 2011 and the second one of 2026, with over 11,000 individuals benefiting in total.
The boisterous descendant of Cuba's "royal" family wasted no time in joining the celebration, offering a message that reflects his unique perspective on Cuban reality: "Today is Friday, Easter. Blessings, the best vibes, and energy to all. I'm wearing my Chucky, 'the serial killer,' shirt. I'm also glad that my government pardons two thousand prisoners, let everyone breathe freedom and be with their family. Well, today is Friday, drink like there's no tomorrow, people."
His use of "my government" to refer to the regime unintentionally captures Sandro Castro's stance. This is the same individual who, just days earlier, claimed to have "no privileges nor immunity" and sees himself as "just another citizen," yet unabashedly asserts his connection to the ruling power on the island.
What the enthusiastic grandson of Fidel failed to mention is that the pardon explicitly excludes those convicted of "crimes against authority"—sedition, public disorder, contempt, assault—the category under which most of the July 11, 2021, protesters were sentenced, facing penalties ranging from six to 18 years.
The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) demanded on Friday that the pardon extend to all political prisoners and highlighted that, in the previous agreement with the Vatican announced on March 12, only 27 political prisoners were released, a rather "meager" number, to put it mildly.
Independent organizations have documented between 760 and over 1,000 political prisoners in Cuba, a category the regime refuses to officially acknowledge.
The great-nephew of Raúl Castro, owner of Bar EFE in Vedado—an establishment that cost him "only" $50,000 in a country where the average monthly salary is around $20—has admitted that there is a "real collapse" in Cuba. However, he clarifies that his criticisms of the government are "subliminal" and "very subtle" because, in his own words, "I respect the government because I live on the Island."
While Sandro Castro raises a glass this Friday, the families of the 11J protesters sentenced to up to 18 years continue to wait for "his government" to return their loved ones.
Key Insights on Cuba's Prisoner Pardon
What prompted the Cuban regime to pardon over 2,000 prisoners?
The pardon of more than 2,000 prisoners was announced as a "humanitarian gesture" in celebration of Easter.
Who is excluded from the recent Cuban prisoner pardon?
The pardon does not include individuals convicted of "crimes against authority," which includes charges like sedition and public disorder.
How does Sandro Castro view his connection to the Cuban regime?
Despite claiming no special privileges, Sandro Castro acknowledges his link to the ruling power by referring to the regime as "my government."