Sandro Castro, grandson of Fidel Castro, took to his Instagram stories this Thursday to address the bonfires ignited by Cubans in the streets of Havana amid nighttime protests sparked by power outages.
He concluded his video with a nod to "the stone," which his followers quickly interpreted as a reference to his grandfather's grave.
The message emerges amidst the most extensive wave of protests seen in the capital since July 11, 2021.
Starting last Wednesday, residents from at least 12 municipalities—including Santos Suárez, Guanabacoa, Marianao, Playa, Vedado, and Havana del Este—have taken to the streets banging pots, blocking roads, burning trash, and lighting bonfires, chanting “Down with the dictatorship!”
The Dual Nature of Sandro Castro's Messages
The ambiguity in Sandro Castro's message is typical of his online style.
"The stone" could be interpreted as the flint of a lighter used to create fire, directly alluding to the street bonfires; however, it also hints at Fidel Castro's tomb.
This unpolished monolith, nearly four meters tall, located at the Santa Ifigenia Heritage Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, is commonly known as "The Stone."
The Symbolic Language of Sandro Castro
Throughout 2026, Sandro Castro has established a consistent pattern of using double entendre in his posts, allowing him to bypass censorship through metaphors and symbolic references.
In January, he posted: "When I'm with you, I forget that Díaz-Canel is president." In March, following protests in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, he wrote: "I'm looking for a rooster to have tequila, but the rooster got free. Good for him."
That same month, he was featured in the New York Times as "Fidel's grandson" for his critical messages against the regime.
In April, during a visit to the 26th Zoo in Havana, he shared a reel of himself emerging from behind a large stone, which his followers also interpreted as a reference to his grandfather's grave. Additionally, upon seeing a monkey in the enclosure, he jokingly promised it a tie, a direct jest at the President of the National Assembly, Esteban Lazo.
Insights on Sandro Castro's Symbolic Messaging
What do the bonfires in Havana signify?
The bonfires represent the public's frustration and protest against the government, specifically due to frequent power outages.
What is the significance of "The Stone" in Sandro Castro's message?
"The Stone" is a metaphor that can refer to both the flint used to ignite fires and Fidel Castro's grave, a known symbol in Cuba.
How does Sandro Castro use symbolism in his social media posts?
Sandro Castro employs symbolic language and double meanings to critique the regime while avoiding direct censorship.