Sandro Castro, the grandson of former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, has once again launched an attack on the independent media outlet El Toque. He accused them of manipulating the exchange rate of the dollar in Cuba's informal market and "playing with the country's economy to the detriment of the population."
These remarks were made during an interview with Venezuelan YouTuber Jesús Cazorla Espino, which was recorded in Cuba and promoted on both influencers' Instagram accounts.
"El Toque is not reliable," Sandro stated, claiming that "they conveniently use the exchange rates they report for the dollar's price."
El Toque has been facing an intense media discredit campaign for weeks, led by the Cuban government, with Sandro playing a key role in the effort.
The regime has even threatened the independent journalists on National Television, asserting that State Security has "evidence" and could take legal action against El Toque for allegedly engaging in currency trafficking and tax evasion schemes in Cuba.
Furthermore, they accused the outlet of engaging in "financial terrorism" by manipulating exchange rates in the informal market and alleged ties to U.S. agencies.
Regarding this alleged government support, Sandro Castro remarked, "I don't believe they have the support of the U.S. government, nor the Cuban one."
The influencer, known for his lavish lifestyle on social media, described the El Toque team as a "dark elite" and suggested that the outlet had responded to his previous criticisms, although he noted that "the journalists who appear aren't who they really are."
Sandro Castro's statements add to a series of officialist attacks against El Toque, which operates in exile and publishes daily exchange rates for the dollar, euro, and MLC in Cuba's informal market.
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding El Toque
What accusations has Sandro Castro made against El Toque?
Sandro Castro has accused El Toque of manipulating the dollar exchange rate in Cuba's informal market and negatively impacting the country's economy.
How has the Cuban government reacted to El Toque?
The Cuban government has threatened legal actions against El Toque's journalists, accusing them of currency trafficking and tax evasion, and labeling their actions as "financial terrorism."
What is El Toque's role in the Cuban market?
El Toque operates from exile, providing daily updates on the exchange rates of the dollar, euro, and MLC in Cuba's informal market.