There's a saying that none are as blind as those who will not see, and it fits perfectly with the case of Pedro Jorge Velázquez, an ardent supporter of the Cuban regime known as "El Necio." His unwavering allegiance seems to have led him to a state of voluntary blindness. He turns a blind eye to the fact that Sandro Castro is not a singular occurrence nor an anomaly within the so-called revolutionary power structure. On the contrary, Sandro exemplifies how the revolutionary leaders and their families have lived from the beginning—enjoying the luxuries they publicly denounce while practicing the very lifestyle they criticize.
From the early days when the mansions of the bourgeoisie were seized by "leaders of the people," like the revolutionary icon Che Guevara who moved into a confiscated mansion in Tarará in 1959, to the recent parties and vacations on private yachts and jets, the regime's leadership has consistently displayed a knack for double standards. While "El Necio" toils away, the Castros and their comrades enjoy a life beyond the reach of most Cubans.
Critics of Sandro Castro are not lamenting capitalism or the existence of wealthy individuals in places like Miami. What truly irritates them is the hypocrisy of those who plunged Cuba into poverty under the guise of a revolution "for the humble," yet now live in luxury akin to the very capitalists they once dispossessed.
Sandro Castro, with his flashy Mercedes and his bar EFE, might be the most conspicuous example, but others in the ruling class lead equally lavish lives. Mariela Castro, daughter of Raúl and Fidel's niece, is notorious for her extravagant lifestyle, renting a mansion in Miramar. Her daughter Vilma follows suit, not only renting a luxury home but also owning a small business in Havana. Antonio Castro, Fidel's son, enjoys opulent Greek island vacations. The children of Manuel Marrero travel by private jet, and the stepson of Miguel Díaz-Canel indulges in shopping sprees and romantic escapades in Madrid, living a Hollywood-style life. Not to mention Lis Cuesta, the so-called "first lady," known for her gourmet tourism adventures. These are just a few examples of the lifestyles enjoyed by regime leaders and their families.
What "El Necio" labels as "vain bourgeoisie" is, in reality, the standard within Cuban power circles. This isn’t about a few "rotten apples." The elite consistently demonstrate that their rhetoric is purely performative, reserved for the masses, while they indulge in everything they publicly decry. Sandro Castro, by virtue of his surname, may be the most visible beneficiary of the regime, but he is far from alone. The true values of the regime—hypocrisy and disdain for the people—live on in the ruling class and in Fidel Castro's descendants. "El Necio" should wake up to the reality that his blindness only serves those who secretly scorn him. While he glorifies a system that betrays him, its leaders live like royalty, mocking his loyalty and exploiting his blind faith.
The Hypocrisy of Cuban Leadership
What is the main criticism of Sandro Castro's lifestyle?
The main criticism is the hypocrisy of a regime that preaches humility and poverty while its leaders and their families live in luxury, exemplified by Sandro Castro's affluent lifestyle.
How do the actions of Cuban leaders contradict their revolutionary ideals?
Cuban leaders contradict their revolutionary ideals by living extravagantly, enjoying wealth and privileges while publicly condemning such lifestyles, thus revealing a double standard.
Why is Pedro Jorge Velázquez referred to as willfully blind?
He is considered willfully blind because he refuses to acknowledge the evident hypocrisy and corruption within the Cuban regime, choosing loyalty over truth.