Social media erupted after Sandro Castro released a new installment of his AI-generated animated series on Instagram this Sunday. In the video, he depicts himself and his allies as superheroes descending from the sky to rescue Cuba.
In contrast, Cuban exiled journalists and influencers like Mario Pentón and Alex Otaola are portrayed as villainous vultures. Additionally, the video introduces a new antagonist: Michel E. Torres Corona, a pro-government spokesperson who has recently expressed dissatisfaction with statements made by the younger Castro generation.
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," also makes an appearance. As the grandson of Raúl Castro and Sandro's cousin, he is depicted as a crowned giant crab defending the island from these scavenger birds.
Sandro, alongside his associate "Presentín," arrives from above to assist El Cangrejo, claiming to save the Cuban people from an isolation ironically caused by the Castro family itself.
The public's response was overwhelming. One user declared, "You are not the superheroes. You are the villains! The people will reclaim the power. Cuba will be free without grandsons, nephews, great-grandsons, without crustaceans, and without crabs."
Another user pointed out the glaring contradiction in the video: "For you, this is just a game. People are truly dying without water, gas, medicine, money, food, electricity. Children can't even get a piece of bread. It should be shameful that you do not live this reality, and that your family has imposed it on everyone."
A third comment encapsulated the sentiment of many: "You have the power to change the history of an enslaved, oppressed people, yet you make videos pretending to be superheroes. I hope one day you'll wake up and choose the right side of history."
Critics didn't shy away from naming those truly responsible: "You're missing, in that cage, the main culprits of the Cuban people's hunger and need: your great-uncle, yourself first, El Cangrejo, Díaz-Canel, and your entire family and the leadership. If you truly want to help the people, those are the culprits; don't look elsewhere, they're all around you."
The video also contains an embarrassing mistake that didn't go unnoticed: El Cangrejo sports a shirt displaying the Puerto Rican flag instead of the Cuban one, an error many took as a symbol of the disconnect between the Castro elite and the national symbols they claim to uphold.
Other users likened the production to "Maduro's cartoons," referencing Venezuelan regime propaganda, while one sarcastically questioned how it's possible to make AI animations "with ETECSA," alluding to the poor connectivity endured by the Cuban populace.
Some pointed out that the crown worn by El Cangrejo in the video reflects a reality: "He's already king by dynasty, not by merit. He has the weapons, not to defend the people, but to perpetuate his regime."
Sandro Castro has been crafting an ambiguous image on social media for months: he claims to be "revolutionary but not communist," mocks Díaz-Canel subtly, and uses AI to create satirical content. However, this new episode confirmed for many Cubans that he remains part of the system he claims to critique.
"You live in a movie, Sandrito, but don't worry, our time will come too. Remember, we are 11 million, and you are just a few," concluded another commentator.
Cuban Social Media Reactions to Sandro Castro's Video
Why did Sandro Castro's video spark controversy?
The video sparked controversy because it depicted Sandro Castro and his allies as heroes while portraying Cuban exiled journalists and influencers as villains, which many saw as a distortion of reality.
Who is El Cangrejo in the video?
El Cangrejo is Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of Raúl Castro and cousin of Sandro, depicted as a giant crab defending Cuba from supposed threats.
How did viewers respond to the video's message?
Viewers overwhelmingly criticized the video, highlighting the irony of portraying themselves as saviors when the Castro family is seen as responsible for Cuba's current state.