Sandro Castro, the grandson of Fidel Castro, recently toured the 26th Avenue Zoo in Havana. In a reel posted to Instagram, he cleverly uses animals as symbols for regime figures, linking them to Cuba's everyday issues.
Before the visit, Sandro hinted at the video's satirical tone with a remark: "I’m going to the zoo with Magnolia on Pioneer Day because humans no longer understand me. I want to chat with the animals for a bit."
The video begins with Sandro emerging from behind a large stone at the zoo's entrance, reminiscent of his grandfather's tomb, sparking a wave of interpretations among Cuban netizens. Each animal was perceived as a subtle political reference.
The Symbolism Behind the Animals
The camel was linked to the Cuban populace enduring without water or resources, a nod to the scarcity in districts like El Cerro.
Followers interpreted the ostrich as a jab at General Guillermo García Frías and his ill-fated 2019 project to raise ostriches as livestock replacements, boasting on national TV that the bird could "produce more than a cow."
Sandro offers a beer to the monkey, saying he likes him for being a drinker, and promises to remove his tie. This is a direct allusion to Esteban Lazo, the president of the National Assembly of People's Power.
The deer behind bars symbolizes political prisoners. The mention of "Ali Baba and the 40 thieves" points to corrupt figures in high power circles.
The Significance of the Zoo Setting
The choice of the zoo was deliberate. Back in 2025, the 26th Avenue Zoo was reported by its own workers for neglect, with malnourished animals, dirty cages, and lack of food. A worker summed up the situation with a viral phrase: "If there is nothing for Cubans, what will there be for the animals?"
Sandro's visit comes at a time when he is gaining more public attention. On March 31, he spoke to CNN, declaring that "most Cubans want to be capitalists," not communists, and openly criticized Miguel Díaz-Canel.
The zoo reel, with its clever use of double entendre, extends this critical stance, employing animal metaphors to skirt regime censorship while maintaining a humorous facade.
Questions About Sandro Castro's Zoo Visit
Why did Sandro Castro visit the 26th Avenue Zoo?
Sandro Castro visited the zoo to create an Instagram reel that uses animals as symbols to critique figures of the Cuban regime and address everyday issues in Cuba.
What was the significance of the camel in Sandro's reel?
The camel symbolized the Cuban people enduring without water or resources, highlighting the scarcity issues faced by neighborhoods like El Cerro.
How did Sandro Castro refer to Esteban Lazo in his video?
Sandro indirectly referred to Esteban Lazo by offering a beer to a monkey and promising to remove its tie, implying a likeness to Lazo.
What was the public's reaction to Sandro's Instagram reel?
The reel sparked a wave of interpretations among Cuban netizens, who saw each animal as a veiled political allegory.