Aleida Guevara, daughter of Che Guevara and a prominent figure in Cuban propaganda, recently released a video on Facebook commemorating her father's birthday. In the video, she urged people not to be consumed by money, warning that corruption takes root when revolutionary leaders begin to prioritize material privileges.
Her message, shared on the Facebook page "Por Los Caminos del CHE" this past Sunday, was ironically timed. While Aleida preached revolutionary austerity, the heirs and close associates of the Castro elite have long been living in luxury, a lifestyle unattainable for most Cubans.
"Money is a tremendous fetish and can sometimes control us. But if we let it be the center of our lives, we lose ourselves. We lose the most beautiful things achieved over years of revolution," Aleida stated in the video.
The Irony of Luxury Amidst Calls for Simplicity
Within the same message, she cited an uncomfortable warning from Che: "He said that when a revolutionary leader starts worrying about the type of shoes their children wear or what they have or don't have, that's where corruption begins. Unfortunately, he was very right."
Aleida clarified that her message wasn't just for the general public: "This is a message for all of us, for the entire people, but also for our leaders."
The stark contrast with the lifestyle of the regime's elite is undeniable. Sandro Castro, grandson of dictator Fidel Castro, flaunts luxury cars, yachts, and private parties to over 150,000 followers on Instagram. He owns Bar EFE in Vedado, where the entrance fee is 1,000 pesos and the minimum spend is 15,000 pesos, far beyond the average Cuban salary.
The Opulence of the Castro Family
His cousin, "El Cangrejo"—Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raúl Castro's grandson—took at least 13 private jet flights in 2025 between Cuba, Panama, and Venezuela, as reported by CNN en Español.
Meanwhile, Manuel Anido Cuesta, stepson of leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and son of the "non-first lady" Lis Cuesta Peraza, resides in Madrid and studies at IE University Business School, where tuition exceeds 12,300 euros annually. He has been photographed wearing clothes valued at over 3,000 dollars.
Contradictions in Aleida's Actions
Lis Cuesta herself has been seen wearing luxury watches at public events, while millions of Cubans endure power outages lasting up to twenty hours daily and severe shortages of food and medicine.
This isn't the first time Aleida's actions have contradicted her rhetoric. In August 2025, she was spotted shopping in dollar stores in Havana, inaccessible to most Cubans.
In January 2026, Cuban activists confronted her in Seville, demanding an end to the dictatorship; activist Brayan Infante accused her father of being a murderer, to which she retorted, "That's not true." On March 8, she was seen wearing a veil on International Women's Day, publicly supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.
She concluded her video with the perennial slogan: "Hasta la victoria, siempre." For observers of the Castro elite's privileges, it rings increasingly hollow.
Understanding the Disparity in Cuba's Political Elite
What did Aleida Guevara say about money?
Aleida Guevara warned that money is a significant obsession that can control us if we allow it to become the focal point of our lives, leading to the loss of revolutionary achievements.
How does Aleida Guevara's message contrast with the lifestyle of the Castro heirs?
While Aleida preaches austerity, the heirs of the Castro regime, such as Sandro Castro and Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, live lavish lifestyles, showcasing wealth and luxury that are unattainable for the average Cuban.
Who is Manuel Anido Cuesta, and why is he mentioned?
Manuel Anido Cuesta is the stepson of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and is mentioned due to his luxurious lifestyle abroad, attending a prestigious university in Madrid and wearing high-value clothing, contrasting sharply with the hardships faced by ordinary Cubans.