Once again, Sandro Castro, the grandson of Cuba's late dictator Fidel Castro, stirs controversy on social media. His latest Instagram video is being interpreted by many as a subtle endorsement of cocaine use. Filmed in an upscale kitchen, the clip features Sandro engaging in a comedic exchange with his new pet, Magnolia, inspired by Thing from 'The Addams Family'. In the video, he scolds the tattooed hand, which joins him in his influencer antics, for being out of control.
“You’re going downhill without brakes!” Sandro exclaims to Magnolia, which sits beside a pile of white powder on a kitchen counter, accompanied by a rolled-up dollar bill—hallmarks of drug use scenes. “Good morning, time to make lunch. Magnolia… no, your actions are indefensible, you’re out of control! Why are you all dusty and dirty? No matter what, I'm going to throw you off the balcony. Let me clean you up. Oh, there’s no water here! I was going to make you croquettes with flour, with love…” he says before transitioning to his character Vampirach’s segment of “news.”
The combination of comedic dialogue and a set featuring conspicuous white powder on a wooden board sparked outrage among users, who accused him of trivializing drug use in a nation already struggling with economic and social crises. This comes as the U.S. ramps up military presence in the Caribbean to combat the Venezuelan-originated Cartel of the Suns and related drug trafficking.
Even though Sandro doesn't explicitly mention cocaine, the imagery and presentation of the video are perceived as a "subliminal message," adding to the controversy surrounding his persona. It also appears to send a veiled critique to the leadership of Miguel Díaz-Canel and ally Nicolás Maduro, whom the Trump administration accused of leading the Cartel of the Suns and other criminal organizations labeled as terrorist groups by Washington.
The video was shared not long after the arrest in the U.S. of Rogelio Enrique Bolufé Izquierdo, a presumed former major of Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior, on cocaine possession charges. His son, Carlos Rogelio Bolufé García, a close friend of Sandro, organized Sandro's controversial birthday party at his bar EFE, held during a widespread blackout.
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding Sandro Castro
What was the nature of Sandro Castro's controversial video?
Sandro Castro's video featured a comedic skit with his pet Magnolia in a kitchen setting, where elements associated with drug use were present, prompting interpretations of a subliminal reference to cocaine use.
Why did the video cause public outrage?
The video was criticized for trivializing drug use in a country facing severe economic and social issues, especially with the current U.S. military focus on Caribbean drug trafficking networks.
How does this incident relate to the broader political context?
The video's perceived subliminal messages are seen as critiques of Cuba's leadership under Miguel Díaz-Canel and its alliance with Nicolás Maduro, who faces accusations of leading a major drug cartel.