A viral video on Instagram by creator Triple X 369 has set Cuban social media abuzz, humorously envisioning—with a touch of artificial intelligence—the capture of Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel by U.S. special forces.
The video, imaginatively titled “Cuba, Year 2026,” kicks off in the Oval Office, where a digitally rendered Donald Trump issues the command in his unmistakable style: “Bring me Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro.” On the other end, a Delta Force officer responds decisively: “At your command, Mr. President.”
What follows is a cinematic spectacle: helicopters soar over Havana, ropes drop, explosions erupt, and soldiers storm a government palace as action-packed music plays in the background.
The most talked-about scene features Raúl and Díaz-Canel hiding under sheets, reminiscent of memes about Maduro and Cilia Flores during their fictional capture days earlier. An AI-generated Canel, with a face of panic, declares, “Raúl, this is the end.”
The video concludes with both leaders handcuffed, sporting sunglasses and headphones, clad in the same gray tracksuits Maduro wore in his arrest images, as they are flown on a military plane to the United States.
With tens of thousands of views and a flood of comments ranging from laughter to longing, the video has struck a chord. “I'm saving this to watch daily,” joked one user, while another exclaimed, “Today AI, tomorrow reality!”
This clip is part of a wave of memes and digital recreations imagining the downfall of the Castro regime following political shifts in Venezuela.
On social media, humor serves as both a release valve and a political gauge: straddling satire and hope, many Cubans are seemingly readying themselves, at least in their minds, for the regime's final chapter.
The Viral Impact and Political Implications
Why has the video become so popular in Cuba?
The video resonates with many Cubans due to its humorous yet thought-provoking depiction of a significant political change, tapping into shared desires and frustrations with the current regime.
What role does humor play in Cuban social media?
Humor on Cuban social media acts as both a coping mechanism and a form of subtle resistance, allowing people to express dissent and hope for change in a repressive environment.
How does AI contribute to the video's impact?
AI enhances the video's impact by creating lifelike scenarios that are both entertaining and eerily plausible, capturing viewers' imaginations and blurring the line between fiction and potential reality.