Sandro Castro Mocks Cuban Youth: "We Are Equality"

In a fit of so-called "creativity," Sandro Castro, the self-proclaimed "revolutionary" and grandson of the infamous dictator Fidel Castro, has once again taken to social media. This time, he posted a video celebrating the 64th anniversary of the José Martí Pioneer Organization (OPJM) and the 63rd of the Union of Young Communists (UJC). Known in Cuba as the "day of children and youth," the occasion was marked this past Friday amid the worst economic crisis in the 66-year history of the Cuban communist regime. Cubans, especially the youth, grapple with increasing poverty, severe shortages of essential goods, and widespread despair, prompting masses to embark on a painful migration exodus.

Unfazed by this national tragedy, the dictator's grandson returned to his antics, unveiling a new provocative video. In it, he blends his vampire persona with that of a pirate, never without his constant companions: alcoholic drinks, rum, and Cristal beer (referred to as 'Kristash' in his peculiar jargon). While Miguel Díaz-Canel and his administration commemorated the anniversary of these communist organizations, established by his grandfather to indoctrinate the young, Sandro Castro chose to parody a pirate film atop a flimsy raft, reminiscent of those used by countless Cuban rafters in their perilous journey to the United States.

Completely indifferent to the agony of thousands of Cubans who have lost loved ones on these dangerous voyages, and the forced separation of families driven to emigrate by hunger, poverty, and fear, Sandro, seemingly lamenting his own breakup, dared to spoof a pirate tale, filled with his typical absurd and foolish antics. "Happy student day. United and prepared, we youth overcome challenges. Soap opera ‘Pirate in the Antilles’," he posted on Instagram, alongside his humiliating video.

Countless Cuban youths face a bleak reality. They lack access to adequate nutrition, live in poverty that prevents them from purchasing necessities, are denied quality education, and face repression and imprisonment for protesting. Many fall into drug addiction, are forced to work, or cling to the hope of emigration as their only escape. Yet, Sandro Castro, the "young revolutionary," bar owner, and "king of Havana nightlife," offered them a callous mockery, afloat on a raft, drinking rum and beer, spewing his usual idiocies while proclaiming "We are equality!"

"United and prepared, we youth overcome challenges," declared the insolent Sandro, the epitome of his grandfather's "new man" experiment. The mismanagement of Díaz-Canel, the audacity of GAESA, and Sandro Castro's insolence are barely distinguishable. While the policies of the former and the investments of the latter craft a socio-economic project of state capitalism, oligarchies, dollarization, and extreme repression, Sandro "normalizes" the spirit of these times through his "creations."

The mockery of the Cuban people becomes more grotesque by the day. The regime's elite gradually shed their masks, cloaking their appropriation of the nation behind slogans and propaganda. But Sandro plays by different rules: his mockery is direct, injurious, and provocative. Nothing stops this brat, allowed free rein by the regime to distract from its misdeeds. He feels untouchable, immune from repercussions—at least until he's deemed expendable to protect other regime interests. Or until he faces a harsh reality check that reconnects him to his depilated neurons.