Sandro Castro, the grandson of the notorious dictator Fidel Castro, showcased a new animated reel on Sunday, employing artificial intelligence to portray himself as the superhero "Cristach." In this peculiar narrative, he emerges as a sort of redeemer for the island, spouting nonsensical phrases and displaying political symbolism that is as vague as it is unsettling.
The 90-second Instagram video opens with Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara seemingly being devoured by exiled zombies at the Versailles restaurant. As he declares, "I'm neither left nor right! I'm for the restauralization of the papatria!" the scene unfolds.
Enter Sandro and Bolufé, another superhero in the story, arriving to rescue Otero Alcántara. They are then whisked away to a meeting with U.S. officials, where a deal for constructing hotels on the island is apparently struck.
In the video's finale, the heroes are celebrated by crowds in the Plaza de la Revolución. Instead of the usual silhouettes of Che and Camilo on a nearby building, now appear images of Sandro and the Crab.
A Polarizing Presence
The character "Cristach"—a superhero dressed in green and gold—serves as Sandro Castro's public persona, his name a pun involving Cristal beer, frequently featured in his content.
The reel garnered 5,840 views, 101 likes, and 16 comments shortly after its release, numbers falling short of the engagement his previous controversial posts have received.
This episode is part of a series of publications throughout July, consistently targeting figures from the Cuban exile community. On July 28, Sandro Castro released a reel mocking Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, the San Isidro Movement's founder, who had just been exiled to Miami. This video, exploiting controversies surrounding Otero Alcántara's appearance after years in prison, amassed over 28,000 views in a few hours.
Controversial Narratives
On July 13, another animated piece was shared, depicting journalists Mario Pentón and Alex Otaola as scavenger birds—“Buitre Rencón” and “Aura Carrín”—in front of the Capitolio de La Habana. This was widely interpreted as an attack on prominent exile voices.
Analysts have repeatedly suggested the potential involvement of the State Security in these messages. However, Sandro Castro claimed in a March 2026 interview with CNN Español that he was summoned and questioned by the agency due to his satirical videos. During this discussion, conducted amidst Havana's blackouts, he portrayed himself as a nightlife entrepreneur and advocate for a capitalist-style economic opening in Cuba.
The Role of Propaganda
The contradiction between his narrative and the content of his reels—consistently aligning with regime narratives against exiled opponents and journalists—fuels suspicion about his true role.
The pattern of publications in July and August aligns with periods of political tension: Otero Alcántara's exile to Miami on July 19, debates over exile unity, and controversies regarding his image after five years in prison. The new reel from August 2, with its even more incoherent content, strengthens the criticisms of those who see Sandro Castro as a tool of distraction and propaganda in service of the dictatorship that bears his grandfather's name.
Understanding the Impact of Sandro Castro's Videos
What is the significance of the character "Cristach" in the videos?
"Cristach" is a superhero persona created by Sandro Castro, named as a play on words with Cristal beer, frequently used in his content to deliver ambiguous and politically charged messages.
How have Sandro Castro's videos been received by the public?
The videos have sparked controversy, with some garnering significant viewership and others falling short. They have been criticized for aligning with regime narratives and targeting figures from the Cuban exile community.
Are there any allegations of government involvement in Castro's videos?
There are suspicions and repeated suggestions of possible involvement by the State Security, although Sandro Castro has denied direct collaboration, claiming he was interrogated by the agency for his satirical content.