Sandro Castro's Controversial Beer Prescription Sparks Outrage Among Cubans

Fidel Castro's grandson, Sandro Castro, has once again become a focal point of public outrage following a video he posted on Instagram. In the clip, he suggested drinking "nine beers a day" as a recipe for "good health." While it might seem like an ill-timed joke or a bizarre performance, the video has triggered widespread condemnation among Cubans, and understandably so.

In a nation where the minimum wage is 2,100 Cuban pesos and most citizens are barely scraping by, recommending spending $178 monthly on beer—equivalent to more than 65,000 CUP—is an egregious affront. This provocation is seen as a blatant display of impunity.

A Symbol of Privilege and Disdain

To countless Cubans, the grandson of the former leader has become a court jester of sorts, acting with complete impunity under the protection of his family name. Yet, his humor elicits not laughter but anger, frustration, and a profound sense of institutional mockery.

This sentiment was echoed in over 1,600 comments on CiberCuba's Facebook page, where individuals of all ages expressed their dismay. From remarks such as "How long will we tolerate this clown?" to accusations of "emotional blackmail against the people," and assertions that "a common young man would be in jail," the response was overwhelmingly negative.

The Ugly Face of Inequality

While Cubans endure blackouts, queues for basic goods, inflation, and a plummeting purchasing power, Sandro flaunts his own privilege. It's not just about drinking beer; it's about advocating for it as a "healthy" lifestyle, with a nod to the state-owned Cervecería Bucanero S.A., without clarifying whether it was paid content.

This behavior, devoid of any sense of responsibility, highlights a stark disconnection from the national reality. According to recent data from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, the vast majority of citizens, especially those who don't receive remittances, cannot even afford a daily breakfast.

Public Reactions: From Mockery to Fury

Some viewers question whether Sandro "the Provocateur" acts out of sheer provocation or if his videos are a veiled sabotage against the very system that supports him. Others see him as a "black sheep" within the Castro clan, a figure that "discredits his family" and "ridicules the system." However, as many users have noted, this alternative reading neither absolves him of responsibility nor mitigates the disrespect with which he conducts himself.

Common sentiments include "He's untouchable," "He's mocking the people," and "Neither the police nor ETECSA will confront him," echoing through more than a thousand comments generated by the video. Some recalled that young people who have protested or composed critical songs against state enterprises have been arrested, while Sandro enjoys unlimited data, abundance, and cameras.

Is He a Symptom or a Symbol?

Beyond the individual, Sandro Castro's case is revealing. It illustrates how an inherited elite lives oblivious to the people's suffering while flaunting their disdain openly and repeatedly. His presence has become a symbol of impunity and cynicism in a Cuba where rules apply only to the lower echelons. "Bread and circuses," one user commented. Yet, in Cuba, there is no bread, and the circus, embodied by Sandro, wounds rather than amuses.

Amid an increasingly tense scenario, with a mobilized youth, prolonged blackouts, and structural hunger, this "revolutionary influencer's" provocations may end up being more than just a mockery: they could serve as a spark. As someone wisely noted on Facebook: "Nothing is truer than one day follows another." Time—and the people—will eventually set things straight.