Sandro Castro, the grandson of the infamous dictator Fidel Castro, has once again stirred controversy on social media. This time, he hit the 'like' button on an Instagram post that paints his grandfather as a "bum" and "freeloader."
The video in question was posted by Cuban influencer @elieser_elbayardo. It includes clips from an interview with Juanita Castro, Fidel's sister, who disclosed that Fidel "never worked a day in his life" and relied financially on their father, Ángel Castro, even after marrying.
In the video, Juanita candidly states, "Fidel studied law, graduated, set up a law office... but it didn’t last long. I never knew him to have any other job than that. He never worked a day in his life. My father supported him, his wife, and their children even after they were married."
Building on these revelations, the influencer added a critical commentary that quickly resonated with Cubans both on the island and abroad:
"That woman is Juanita Castro, revolutionary like her brother, and she knew him better than anyone. Fidel never held a profession, never sweat under the sun, nor depended on a salary. He preached sacrifice without knowing it. He spoke of the worker, but was never a worker. He spoke of the peasant, but never wielded the machete. He spoke of the people, but never lived like the people."
Elieser further compared Fidel to Karl Marx, emphasizing that "all communists are cut from the same cloth," highlighting their privileged lifestyles despite advocating for equality and social justice, and criticizing capitalist class inequalities.
The real shocker wasn't the content of the video, which critiques the historical leader of the so-called "Cuban revolution," but rather Sandro Castro's 'like.' As a direct descendant of Fidel, Sandro's public endorsement of the post was unexpected.
For many, this act was seen as an ironic nod or a possible symbolic distancing from his family's legacy. Yet, some viewed it as a mere provocation or further evidence of Sandro's indifference to Cuba's harsh realities, contrasting with his displays of luxury and private parties amid the nation's shortages, blackouts, and widespread poverty.
This incident highlights the growing perception that even within the Castro family's inner circle, there are cracks and contradictions with the rhetoric and indoctrination that have shaped Cuban life for over six decades.
Exploring the Controversy Surrounding Sandro Castro's 'Like'
Why is Sandro Castro's 'like' on the post significant?
Sandro Castro's 'like' is significant because it suggests a potential divergence from his family's legacy or an ironic acknowledgment of the criticism against his grandfather, Fidel Castro. It also highlights possible internal disagreements within the Castro family about their historical narrative.
What did Juanita Castro reveal about Fidel Castro?
Juanita Castro revealed that Fidel never held a job and was financially dependent on their father, Ángel Castro, even after he got married. Her statements challenge the image of Fidel as a self-sufficient leader.
How did the influencer Elieser compare Fidel Castro to Karl Marx?
Elieser compared Fidel Castro to Karl Marx by highlighting their privileged lifestyles despite advocating for equality and social justice. He suggested that both figures criticized capitalist class inequalities while not living according to their own teachings.