MIAMI, United States. – The birthday party of Sandro Castro, grandson of the late dictator Fidel Castro, continues despite the acute crisis that Cuba is going through, further aggravated by the massive blackout that occurred on the Island this Wednesday.
The main organizer of the event, Carlos Rogelio Bolufé (identified on Instagram as “Carlucho/Carluchín Verde”), confirmed the celebration in a live stream broadcast early this Thursday and which was deleted shortly after.
“The country may sink, but we are celebrating the party,” said the young man, son of Rogelio Bolufé, an infiltrated State Security agent who arrived in Miami pretending to be an opponent of the Cuban dictatorship.
“Gentleman, everyone for Sandro Castro’s birthday today, in the EFE,” announced Carlucho, who stressed that the celebration continues regardless of the criticism. When one of the Internet users connected to the broadcast made reference to the more than 1,000 political prisoners that exist in Cuba, the young man and one of his guests on the broadcast responded: “Here we are not talking about politics now, we are talking about partying.”
At another point in the almost 30-minute live broadcast, Carlucho Verde defended that “millions of people celebrate their party and no one says anything. Now because it’s me and Sandro, can they get upset?” he asked. “Sandro has the right to celebrate his holiday like any other Cuban.” Finally, he ended with the phrase “Long live the Revolution.”
The transmission took place from a private space, around 3:00 in the morning this Thursday, according to comments heard in the video. In a relaxed atmosphere, with background music and several people singing who were not focused on directly, Carlucho Verde drank a drink of Santiago 15 rum, whose bottle is valued at 300 US dollars (USD), according to the young man himself.
By spreading the live video on your Facebook profileactivist Avana de la Torre expressed her indignation: “Look at what disconnection from reality this plague of lazy opportunists has. It’s incredible how they laugh at the people,” he said.
The activist also highlighted the gap between the privileges enjoyed by some groups related to power and the shortcomings faced by the majority of Cubans: “Not only do you have to take to the streets because of hunger, but also because of mockery, manipulation and impudence of these people, they are the elite that has appropriated all the money of the Cuban people.”
De la Torre recalled that while exclusive parties are organized, thousands of people suffer from a lack of medicines, food and other essential products. He added that a ticket to the EFE bar – where the celebration will take place – can cost up to 1,000 pesos. “Here you have 27 minutes of drunken and mocking transmission. An entry to the EFE costs 1,000 pesos, which is the monthly payment of those same elderly people who fought for equality,” denounced De la Torre.
This week, Sandro Castro himself publicly defended in another direct his “right” to celebrate his birthday in his bar, this December 5, despite the economic crisis, the prolonged blackouts and the social tension that the Island is experiencing. “What I want to make clear is that I am celebrating my birthday as a young Cuban revolutionary,” declared Fidel Castro’s grandson on his Instagram account, where he also assured that the event would take place “within the margin of legality” and under a “healthy environment.” Castro also attacked his critics, whom he classified as “spokespersons for the United States.”
The invitation to the celebration includes a welcome cocktail, Cristal beer, sparkling wine and, for the first 20 women to arrive, a “shot of Tequila Rose.” While the majority of the population struggles amidst continuous power outages, food and health shortages, the grandson of the late dictator presents himself as a “young Cuban revolutionary” who exercises his right to have fun. “I am with my homeland and with my country,” Castro stated, while urging unity “in these moments of difficulties.”
The EFE bar, venue of the party, has been the subject of multiple criticisms in the past due to its high prices and alleged discrimination. Various public complaints indicate that the place presents homophobic attitudesclassist and maintains a level of exclusivity that is unattainable for the average Cuban. A single night there can far exceed the country’s minimum wage.
Same as in another previous directin this Thursday’s Carlucho Verde described the EFE bar as “the most humble place there can be in Cuba.”
