Sandro Castro, aka "Vampirach" on Instagram, amuses and irritates with his satirical sketches about daily life in Cuba, a country where public criticism remains closely monitored.
Online provocations and dark humor in the midst of the economic crisis
On social media, Sandro Castro, grandson of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, is causing a stir. Under the pseudonym "Vampirach," the 33-year-old shares offbeat videos of himself in absurd outfits—disguised as a monk, a vampire, or even in cat makeup—while parodying the island's difficult daily life. In one sketch, he laments the lack of food: "I woke up this morning with my favorite recipe, chicken in beer, but... there's no chicken," he says, brandishing a bottle of Cristal, the local beer. These videos, followed by some 120 followers on Instagram, have gone viral.
These humorous scenes tackle sensitive topics such as power outages, shortages, and living conditions in working-class neighborhoods. In another post, shirtless in front of an American flag, Sandro bathes in a rooftop cistern, ironically saying, "There's no better pool than the ghetto cistern." These remarks, reported by AFP, serve as a reminder of the seriousness of the current crisis the country is going through.
Harsh criticism of the government... and the Castro family
While some internet users are so acclaimed as the "next president," others—particularly those close to the government—are denouncing his excesses. Pro-regime writer Ernesto Limia posted a scathing message on Facebook calling Sandro Castro an "imbecile" who "has no affection for his grandfather or respect for his memory" (AFP). Another pro-government influencer, El Necio, also criticized his behavior, publicly expressing regret that he was not called to order by the Cuban security services.
For dissident Manuel Cuesta Morua, interviewed by AFP, this phenomenon highlights the generation gap: "Sandro reflects the distance between those who carried the revolutionary project and their grandchildren." He also sees it as an illustration of the way in which certain members of the elite take advantage of their privileges while putting themselves on display, Sandro being, according to him, one of the few to do so "in a grotesque way."
Sandro Castro had already drawn public outrage in 2021, during the pandemic, when a video showed him driving a luxury Mercedes. He declared: "We are simple people, but sometimes we have to take out the little toys we have at home." The clip, widely shared on social media, sparked a wave of outrage. He later apologized, according to AFP.
While criticism of the regime is often repressed in Cuba, Sandro Castro's provocations raise questions about the limits of freedom of expression based on social or family background. For now, Fidel's grandson continues to post his videos without official intervention, much to the dismay of a section of the Castro camp.
