Sandro Castro Discusses Progress on His Rival Platform to elTOQUE

Sandro Castro has once again stirred anticipation on social media following a recent Q&A session on his Instagram stories.

The controversial grandson of Fidel Castro initiated an interactive session with the phrase "Ask me a question," prompting an inquiry about the launch of his promised platform to rival the independent outlet elTOQUE in proposing an alternative currency exchange rate.

In response, Sandro Castro emphatically stated that while the platform exists digitally, it still requires official approval to operate. He wrote in all caps, "DIGITALLY CREATED, JUST NEED GOVERNMENT APPROVAL FOR LEGAL STATUS, SO IT'S SOLID, TRANSPARENT, AND RELIABLE, UNLIKE ELTOQUE'S SCAM."

His reply not only directly criticized elTOQUE with a dismissive tone but also hinted that the alleged venture, associated with the name "Vampicash Cup" and reportedly complete with a logo, remains on hold pending government authorization.

A Campaign Against elTOQUE

Sandro Castro's recent clarification about his digital proposal comes amid weeks of direct confrontation with elTOQUE, which he has repeatedly accused of manipulating Cuba's informal currency market.

In early November, Sandro asserted on social media that elTOQUE "made 128 million dollars in a single day" following a rise in the dollar, claiming the outlet collaborates with street buyers and platforms like Revolico to artificially influence rates.

He accused them of having "a group of journalists and buyers hitting the streets with suitcases full of Cuban pesos," further alleging that the outlet sets parallel rates that spread panic among Cubans.

On the same day, he announced his plan to unite microenterprise owners in Cuba to establish an "alternative reference rate." He suggested using WhatsApp groups to coordinate decisions and set the dollar's value around 400 CUP, supposedly aligning with the Central Bank of Cuba's rate in hotels.

The Uncertain Future of "Vampicash Cup"

Currently, specific technical details about the purported platform "Vampicash Cup" remain undisclosed. There is no public evidence of its operational existence beyond Sandro Castro's claims. He admits the system is "digitally created" but requires state validation to function "legally, solidly, and transparently."

His promise to establish an alternative exchange rate aligning with the interests of Cuba's private sector, particularly microenterprises and entrepreneurs, is part of a narrative positioning him as a mediator between informal economic actors and the official system.

However, his calls to censor elTOQUE and advocate for blocking its website—even suggesting hacker intervention—have drawn criticism for inciting harassment.

The Political and Economic Underpinnings

Sandro Castro's crusade against elTOQUE does not occur in isolation. The outlet, based outside of Cuba, has become a daily reference for tracking the exchange rates of the dollar, euro, and MLC in Cuba's informal market, using a citizen report-based methodology.

This function, though informative, is perceived by official sectors as a direct threat to governmental economic control, prompting a media offensive combining misinformation, discredit, and personal attacks.

The State Security has even hinted at potential legal actions against elTOQUE's team, accusing them of tax evasion and currency manipulation.

In this context, Sandro Castro's interventions seem to amplify the official narrative, albeit wrapped in an informal and provocative tone that resonates with certain segments of the Cuban digital audience.