Tony Castro’s Instagram account shows him jet-setting around the globe, partying with friends and relaxing in Cuidad del Carmen, a hip resort in Mexico. In one snap, the aspiring model who is in his 20s plays the tourist and poses in front of the famous La Sagrada Familia church in Madrid holding a map. The page also shows the youngster living it up in Barcelona and Panama City, celebrating his birthday, partying with friends and hanging out with a pal at university.
Despite being active online for years, he had managed to keep a low profile.
But days before the communist Caribbean island celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, the Miami Herald published photos from his social media account.
Tony, who is the son of Antonio Castro and Lisette Ulloa, can be seen posing alongside a female acquaintance in a number of pictures.
In 2016, he hit the catwalk in a Chanel fashion show held in Havana Square for what was the first time the label showcased its fashion in a communist country.
Cuban blogger and journalist Yoani Sanchez reported at the time that police had removed homeless people seeking refuge in square, which caused anger on social media.
Cubans also criticised Chanel for holding the event in a country where the average person makes less than $25 a month.
The 1959 revolution was led by Tony’ grandfather dictator Fidel Castro who went on to rule the country with an iron fist for five decades until his death in 2016.
The island’s rations system was implemented by Fidel in 1962 and the vast majority of Cuban families still rely on it for their food intake.
Citizens are given coupon books which when taken to a rations shop can be exchanged for rice, sugar, matches and oil and supermarkets are routinely out of necessities for weeks on end.
Cuba is experiencing a shortage of eggs, bread, meat and rice which the country’s second-in-command President Miguel Diaz-Canal has blamed on the US imposed embargo. He is subordinate to Fidel’s brother Raul Castro, the Communist Party leader and commander in chief.