or almost a half century the Castro dictatorship has subjugated the Cuban people. This phenomenon has occurred while world powers disagree as to how to treat Castro’s regime. How can we explain that the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics (USSR) collapsed; that Saddam Hussein was removed from power on the other side of the world while Castro still survives?
Many "experts" hope that the death of Fidel Castro will be the end of communism in Cuba. They are mistaken; communist ideology has been implanted in the mind of each Cuban from his birth. Now, citizens almost fifty years old do not know another world, or another doctrine than the one of the Castro regime. Their children learn to conform, and to fear the power that rules them. They, as their parents were, are taught to hate Cuba’s enemies and to defend its father, Fidel. Castro is the inspiration for the Cubans who think that he is the leader of the oppressed, leader of the working class, and the leader of proletariat. Cuba will continue on its current course regardless of who seizes power after Castro, and thoughts on democracy and freedom will continue to be suppressed. Cubans do not know any other system.
It would be possible to ask, has it been by convenience that certain multinational interests or "agencies" help to maintain communism in Cuba? Furthermore, Cuba has been an accomplice of revolutions throughout the world. On the shoulders of Fidel, falls the weight of millions of dead from the 1950's to the present, in Africa, Asia and America. Strangely, the world looks for injustices to take to task, Generals Videla, Pinochet, and Stroessner are scrutinized; but nobody takes a hard look at Fidel Castro. It may be because he is a “democratically elected” leader or that he has the protection and patronage of some powerful world players that he is immune from scrutiny. His regime is cruel, totalitarian, violates the human rights of its citizens and has proven to be an enemy of the free press. And in spite of this, it achieves worldwide recognition for “success” in areas such as medicine, education and sports.
At the present time, Castro, in spite of his age continues to be admired and feared by the majority of people in Cuba. He remains defiant before his adversaries and in spite of counting on a subsistence economy, fixes himself to obtain subsidies his oppressive government receives from foreign sources. He is still able to form alliances such as the Forum of Sao Paulo, where along with Presidents Lula of Brazil and Chávez from Venezuela, he attempts to excite revolution in Latin America. In return for his regime’s support, Castro offers Chávez the support of his brainwashed troops to foment a communist revolution in Bolivia under the nose of the democratic world, a tragedy of great magnitude.
It should be common goal of the democratic governments of the world to give back to the Cubans the values of liberty that their country has lost. There are several possible options to achieve this goal:
- Militarily action on the island similar to the invasion of Iraq;
- Continue imposing economic and commercial sanctions, which have been historically unsuccessful and serve to strengthen the anti-American sentiment of the Cubans;
- Attempt a total economic and political opening towards Cuba, one that will bring with it normal reciprocal commitments that will generate gradual changes through interaction with the outside world. The commercial opening with Cuba is an option that would particularly be of benefit to small countries like El Salvador, my home country, where Cuba’s sport trainers are needed, but due to the embargo, hiring of the trainers is not possible. Additionally, the measure of not allowing direct flights from El Salvador to Cuban making passengers fly through other cities into Cuba should stop.
Many third world countries produce products that Cuba would willingly consume, and for those countries to deprive themselves of increased business, as the European countries and even the USA do through embargoes, is ridiculous. To clarify, I am not advocating the opening or establishment of long-term diplomatic relations. I specifically advocate opening commercial relations, in an elaborated plan that will incorporate consular relations after commercial ties are solidified.
The entire world knows the Cuban people’s plight, how their freedom of thought is kidnapped and held hostage by the dictatorship. Knowing that its present leaders and their communist rule have caused as much damage as today’s Islamic terrorists. The free citizens of the world can contribute by helping the Cuban people learn the nature of true freedom. The Cuban people need, after so many years of oppression, the support of the international community and deserve to be integrated into the international community. This is an undeniable obligation we cannot ignore.
El Salvador, jueves, noviembre 04, 2004
