Cuban Propagandist Claims Censorship Over Criticism of Fidel Castro’s Grandson
Michel Torres Corona, a propagandist for Cuba’s state television, stated that authorities censored a sharp critique he recorded of Sandro Castro, the notable grandson of Fidel Castro, following his recent CNN interview and interactions with former President Donald Trump.
Torres Corona is the main host of a program called con filo (“Sharp Edge”), a communist propaganda show aired twice weekly. This program is co-produced by the Cuban state media outlet Cubadebate and the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television. CiberCuba has reported that the show has faced backlash from the Cuban populace, who have called for its cancellation, deeming it ineffective propaganda that wastes resources that could be better used in healthcare and food supply.
Critics have described Torres Corona and his con filo colleagues as regime mouthpieces, benefiting from “seeming immunity” through their roles on state television, which affords them perks like the ability to travel internationally.
The latest episode of con filo, which aired on Tuesday and was titled “It’s Cold Without You, Trump,” mocked former President Trump for applying pressure on the oppressive communist regime and making comments about Cuba. In this episode, Trump was referred to as a “reigning emperor.”
On the following day, shortly after the episode’s broadcast, Torres Corona released a video clip in which he accuses Sandro Castro of trivializing Cuba’s situation and joking about the “satrap” who is burdening the island, presumably referring to Trump.
In his critique of Castro, Torres Corona expressed, “It’s frustrating to see Cubans making light of the situation and joking about visits to those who are oppressing Cuba. It’s infuriating to watch people whose only achievement is being in the right place at the right time criticize the government and reject the socialist constitution that was ratified, pretending to be ‘capitalists’ as if it were some sort of game.”
Sandro Castro, a self-identified “influencer” and “filmmaker,” has long portrayed his extravagant lifestyle on social media—a stark contrast to the struggles faced by many Cubans amid decades of communism. He operates an exclusive nightclub in Havana, a rarity in a country where personal property is largely non-existent under the communist regime.
While addressing the allegations against Castro, Torres Corona highlighted various headlines from media, including an Argentine outlet, that discussed Castro’s comments about desiring a Cuba Libre drink, alongside a comedic skit featuring him and an impersonator of Trump, which drew a connection to the regime’s influence.
Furthermore, Torres Corona referenced a recent interview that CNN’s Patrick Oppmann conducted with Castro, which presented a favorable image of him, noting his support for negotiating with Trump.
CiberCuba reported that prior to the anti-Trump episode of con filo, a teaser was shared on their Facebook page that stirred responses from Cuban users, indicating a willingness to critique Sandro Castro in light of regime propaganda, which is often criticized for its double standards—targeting activists while overlooking controversies involving elite figures like Castro.
Shortly after Torres Corona claimed to have been censored by state media, propaganda officials released a transcript from the communist regime’s constitution, emphasizing that defending socialism is the utmost duty of all Cubans, and stating that any betrayal against the state carries severe consequences.
On the day after the CNN interview, a Colombian news channel aired another interview with Sandro Castro, where he distanced himself from close ties to powerful family members and insisted he didn’t enjoy special privileges, despite being the grandson of Fidel Castro.
He said, “I see myself as just a simple person who is proud to be Cuban. My content doesn’t focus on politics anymore. While I may subtly criticize things, I am not involved in any violence. I respect the government because that’s the reality for us here.”
