Sandro Castro, the grandson of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, has sparked yet another controversy on social media. This time, he posted a video proclaiming, "If you want good health, don't go over 10 beers. But make sure you have your nine daily." In the video, he is seen wearing a black robe adorned with red crosses and a plastic bag as a hat, offering what he calls his "sacred Friday blessing." Rather than being amusing, his eccentric ritual has incited widespread anger.
This so-called joke actually highlights an alarming disconnect from the harsh economic reality in Cuba. According to online platforms like Micerveza.com, a 330 ml can of Cristal beer is priced at approximately $0.66 USD. Should anyone follow Sandro's "advice" of consuming nine beers each day, the monthly cost would skyrocket to $178.20 USD. With the informal market exchange rate at around 370 Cuban pesos (CUP) per dollar, this amounts to 65,934 CUP—a staggering 31 times the island's minimum monthly wage of 2,100 pesos.
The Disconnect of Privilege
This isn't the first time Sandro, a scion of the dictatorial regime, has shared such content. His profile features multiple reels of him drinking Cristal, showcasing fridges stocked with the green cans, and making nonsensical remarks like "this medicine is essential." These posts often include objectifying remarks about women and display an elitist disdain for the common people, a characteristic trait of Cuba's oppressive regime.
None of these videos clarify whether they are part of a paid promotion, raising suspicions of a covert marketing strategy benefiting the state-run company Cervecería Bucanero S.A. The company is overseen by Eduardo Lacerda, director of Cerbuco Brewing Inc., and Nelson Arias Moreno, president of the state-owned Corporación Alimentaria S.A. (CORALSA).
A Cruel Mockery of Reality
For many Cubans, Sandro's message is nothing short of insulting. According to the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights, a mere 24% of the populace receives remittances from abroad. The remaining 76% rely on state salaries, which are grossly insufficient to cover living expenses amid ongoing blackouts, shortages, and scarcity.
A staggering 83% of those not receiving external aid have had to cut back on their daily meals, and 58% have stopped having breakfast altogether. In this grim context, the image of a regime heir advocating daily consumption of an expensive product is not just provocative—it's a cruel mockery of millions of families struggling to keep their members healthy amidst food shortages and a collapsing healthcare system.
While ordinary citizens stand in line for meager and costly food supplies, Sandro continues his carefree toasts with Cristal beer. He can afford to waste liters of beer and laugh at Cubans due to the protection from the repressive machinery of the totalitarian regime his grandfather established. Yet, as surely as "one day follows another," there will come a time when "Cristal" won't bring joy to the "vampire," and the "young revolutionary" mocking the people will learn a lesson seemingly absent in the Castro family's mafioso upbringing.
Understanding the Economic Impact of Sandro Castro's Statements
How much would it cost to follow Sandro Castro's beer recommendation?
Following Sandro Castro's advice of drinking nine beers daily would result in a monthly expense of approximately $178.20 USD. This translates to about 65,934 Cuban pesos, which is over 31 times the minimum monthly wage in Cuba.
Why is Sandro Castro's message considered offensive to many Cubans?
Sandro Castro's message is offensive because it highlights a significant disconnect from the economic hardships faced by most Cubans, who struggle with low wages, food shortages, and power outages. His recommendation of an expensive daily habit appears as a mockery to the populace enduring these challenges.