In a recent appearance on CNN Portugal, Rodolfo Bendoyro, a university professor and dual Portuguese-Cuban citizen, dissected the controversial interview given by Sandro Castro, Fidel Castro's grandson, to CNN International on March 30. Bendoyro concluded that Sandro Castro's statements underscore the multifaceted failure of the Cuban regime: ideologically, morally, and politically.
The Portuguese network encapsulated Bendoyro's central argument with the headline: "Communism in Cuba has been broken for decades, and it's significant that Fidel Castro's grandson acknowledges it."
Bendoyro, who frequently comments on Cuban affairs for Portuguese media, utilized Sandro Castro's own words as evidence of systemic collapse, turning the interview into a poignant critique.
Ideological Discontent
On the ideological front, Bendoyro highlighted Sandro Castro's admission that most Cubans prefer capitalism over communism. "Even Fidel's grandson openly recognizes that Cubans do not want communism," Bendoyro noted, referencing Sandro's acknowledgment of the populace's capitalist inclinations.
Moral Disconnect
The moral dimension of Bendoyro's analysis points to the stark contrast between rhetoric and reality. Sandro's interview was recorded during a blackout in his luxurious Kohly neighborhood apartment—historically reserved for military and intelligence officials. Despite the blackout, Sandro enjoyed cold beers and designer sunglasses, powered by his personal generator.
This disparity is even more pronounced considering Sandro admitted his bar in the Vedado district cost $50,000, a stark contrast to the average Cuban salary of about twenty dollars a month. Bendoyro articulated this clearly: the interview "exposes the privileged lifestyle of an elite connected to the regime, while ordinary people live in poverty."
Political Criticism
Politically, Bendoyro emphasized Sandro Castro's critique of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, whom he called incompetent. "He's not doing a good job," Sandro stated, expressing admiration for Donald Trump. Bendoyro pointed out the symbolic weight of Sandro's words and actions, which reveal the regime's failure.
Bendoyro's appearance on CNN Portugal comes at a time of heightened tension in Cuba, with prolonged blackouts and increasing pressure from the Trump administration. Previously, Bendoyro appeared on the same network to discuss Cuba's announcement of pardoning 2,010 prisoners on April 2, cautioning that there was no evidence of political prisoners among the released, echoing concerns from Amnesty International Portugal.
Organizations like Prisoners Defenders estimated there were 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba as of February 2026, a figure unacknowledged by the regime in its recent gestures.
Understanding Cuba's Political and Social Challenges
What did Sandro Castro say about the Cuban people’s political preferences?
Sandro Castro stated that the majority of Cubans prefer capitalism over communism, highlighting a significant ideological shift among the populace.
How did Bendoyro describe the moral failure of the Cuban regime?
Bendoyro pointed out the vast disparity between the privileged lifestyle of those connected to the regime and the poverty experienced by ordinary citizens, as highlighted by Sandro Castro's personal amenities during an interview.