Sandro Castro, Fidel Castro's grandson, apologizes for controversial video

Sandro Castro, grandson of the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, apologized on his Instagram account for a video in which he appears driving a Mercedes Benz car.

(Credit: Sandro Castro / Instagram)

(CNN Spanish) ––

Sandro Castro Arteaga, grandson of the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, assured this Thursday that the Mercedes Benz that appears driving is not his in a video that circulated on social networks this week and that went viral, in the middle of a controversy about whether that was a luxury display.

In a video he posted on his Instagram account, Castro Arteaga made a public apology to family and friends "who may have been offended" and explained that the car in which the video was recorded belongs to an "acquaintance" of his who " presto".

And I like cars so I can try it out.

And that's where this video was actually shot. "

Immediately afterwards, it refers to the phrase that generated criticism on social networks.

“When I referred to the toys I had at home, I was joking because the car is definitely not mine.

And I sincerely apologize to anyone who misinterpreted this or could offend you.

I apologize to everyone, "he insisted.

Castro Arteaga acknowledged that the images are of him.

Although, he said, initially he only published them in his "WhatsApp statuses for my close, trusted, and close contacts to me."

He also added that "for reasons against my will, this video has spread to other media."

In the video that previously generated controversy and questions in networks, Castro Arteaga is observed in the company of a woman, while accelerating the Mercedes Benz to 140 km / h.

During the recording, the young man says: "We are simple, but from time to time we have to take out these toys that we have at home."

Then he asks his passenger to focus on the speedometer.

Then he adds: «Look how rich, how is that going to 140, gentleman.

My people are fat things, so they are not mistaken.

CNN cannot independently confirm that the car is owned by Castro or not.

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The young man ends the video in which he apologized by clarifying that there is a false Twitter account in his name and that the only social network in which he has a profile is on Instagram.

«I don't even have Twitter, I don't even have Facebook.

I only have Instagram and I'm not interested in social networks or popularity.

I am a simple person and that is how I consider myself.

And the people close to me and close to me, know that what I am saying is really true, "he concluded.

CNN attempted to contact Sandro Castro for comment, but has yet to receive a response.

So far there is no official statement from the Government of Cuba on the first video or Castro's statement and CNN has not received a response to his request for comment.

Sandro Castro is the son of Alexis Castro Soto del Valle, one of the five children of Fidel Castro and Dalia Soto del Valle, the second wife of the Cuban leader, with whom he was with until his death in 2016. According to Radio Televisión Martí, which is Part of the US Agency for Global Media, Castro Arteaga owns two bars in Havana, Fantaxy and EFE.

In addition, he is not the first in Fidel Castro's family to experience a controversy over content disseminated on social networks.

Tony Castro, also the grandson of the Cuban leader and son of Antonio Castro, made headlines in 2019 for the travel and luxury photos he posted on his Instagram account.

Currently, the profile of the young man in this social network is private, but many were published by other users and media.

The controversy arises as the inhabitants of Cuba suffer from the precarious economic situation of the island.

The country has a GDP per capita of US $ 12,100 (2016 estimated figures by the CIA), which places it in 131st place worldwide.

By comparison, GDP per capita in the US is $ 62,530.

The Government of Cuba, a country suffering from food shortages amid the pandemic, took a step towards the massive expansion of the island's private sector allowing Cubans to soon be able to seek employment or start businesses in most labor camps.

With information from Sebastián Jiménez, from CNN en Español. 

Fidel Castro