Via Albert, A Cuban death rehearsal
With Fidel Castro apparently on the verge of death, I returned to Cuba to visit old friends. Little has changed over recent years and life for most Cubans remains harsh. Yet western visitors continue to romanticise the place
Bella Thomas is intimately familiar with Cuba:
Between 1996 and 1999, I lived periodically in Havana with a gay Spanish diplomat, a close friend who had once, maybe not entirely jokingly, suggested that we marry but maintain our separate ménages. I was too square for that, but when he was posted to Cuba I went to stay with him. Cuba was reputedly not an easy place for homosexuals. I was interested in the country, and I could write about it.
And so for a while I became a pretend prometida of the Spanish cultural attaché. Eventually, many of those we knew—and didn’t know—in Havana, seeing my friend’s rather open homosexuality, began to suspect that I was a spy, that I was from the CIA (which Cubans pronounce “seer”), or MI5.
As I have mentioned before in this blog, the Castro regime has a history of persecuting gays, hence her need to pose as a “beard”.
During the late 1990s there much talk about regime change, which came to nothing,
What observers at this time most underestimated was the power of the regime’s nationalist rhetoric and Castro’s strategic skill. Unlike in eastern Europe, where nationalism helped to erode communism, Cuban nationalism has shored up the regime. Castro was always a nationalist in communist clothing, and, throughout the 1990s, the communist references in his speeches were gradually replaced by nationalist ones.
The continuing hostilities with the US have played into Castro’s hands. It was as an embattled nationalist leader of a small island, standing up to an aggressive, neighbouring superpower, that Castro preserved his revolutionary credentials most effectively.
The UN crowd is still buying into that.
The shortcomings of life under his regime were, he argued, attributable mainly to the US embargo. Many swallowed the argument.
He knew, too, how to capitalise on the latent anti-Americanism in Latin America, Europe and Canada to give his struggle more universal appeal.
In fact, the regime seems to act with zeal to ensure that the embargo continues. When it looks as if the US government might consider ending it, some heavy-handed Cuban act ensues that the status quo prevails. In 1996, when Clinton was keen to initiate rapprochement, the regime shot down two US planes manned by members of a Cuban exile group rescuing those escaping the island on rafts. When, in 2003, an influential cross-party lobby in the US seemed set to dismantle the embargo, the Cuban government promptly incarcerated 75 prisoners of conscience and executed three men who hijacked a tugboat with a view to getting to Miami.
Castro created the textbook for Latin American tyrant wanna-bees.
This is a most insightful article, and a must-read to all who are interested in learning about Cuba. I highly recommend it.
Apparently, Fausta, you haven’t BEEN to Cuba. It’s a shame that so many people feel free to express so many opinions about something they know little about.
Of course, under U.S. law, the people of the United States, who can go to Iran, North Korea, Vietnam and China, aren’t free to go and see Cuba for themselves.
Walter Lippman,
I don’t have to travel back in time to 19th century Georgia to know there was slavery there. There are more than a million Cuban immigrants in the US (100,000 of which have come in the last year) that can tell you all you need to know about Cuba. But alas, those conversations don’t put money into the regime’s coffers.
And certainly US citizens can travel to those countries that you mention but few really do. Besides China settled for the assets they nationalized when they went communist (it took 30 years but they did settle) and that’s one of the reasons the commercial opening to China was allowed. Same with Vietnam. As for north Korea and Iran, who really goes there? Are there as many “truth seekers” going there as want to go to Cuba? Doubtful. Your rhetoric is as transparent as it empty.
I hope “seeing it for yourself” was worth it when you find yourself burning in hell for enabling the gang of murderous thugs in Havana.
Sorry meant to say 100,000 came in the last 5 years.
100,000 in five years? Yes, that is correct. That’s the number which Cuba and the United States agreed to in the migration accords of 1994.
But Cubans get special privileges which no one else gets, don’t you agree?
Thanks to the Cuban Adjustment Act, passed in 1966, Cubans who want to come to the United States get special privileges, special rights and special advantages which no other immigrant from any other country gets. They are automatically welcomed into the United States, when Haitians, Mexicans and Dominicans are immediately deported if they show up.
Don’t take my word for it, of course.
Read more about the Cuban Adjustment Act here:
http://www.walterlippmann.com/migratin.com
My mistake on the URL. Sorry.
Read about the Cuban Adjustment Act here:
http://www.walterlippmann.com/migration.html
Walter Lippmann
I assume Mr. Lippman is attempting to argue that Bella Thomas’ article is rife with inaccuracies.
This comes as no surprise. For decades, the intense prejudice exhibited towards Cubans has contributed to their enslavement under Fidel’s jackboot. Mr. Lippman – it would appear – is no different. Yet another individual who continues to bang his head into a wall in a bid to argue that Cubans, those who either are currently, or have in the past, have no idea what they’re talking about. The audacity strikes me as nothing less than a symptom of insanity. I would remind Mr. Lippman that Cubans are human beings, deserving of all the rights listed in the UN’s “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” We are not zoo animals for your enjoyment in the time warp that is Cuba.
-Anatasio Blanco
Anastasia Blanco and Henry Gomez can’t even spell my name correctly, and yet I spell my own name correctly. If you can’t get someing as simple as that right, how can you write about Cuba where you don’t even go?
Freedom should start right here at home: freedom to travel to Cuba.
Best wishes,
Walter Lippmann
just back from another three months in Cuba
Mr. Lippmann,
My apologies for misspelling your name.
I must also correct this statement from my previous post, as I was typing rather quickly:
Yet another individual who continues to bang his head into a wall in a bid to argue that Cubans, those who either are currently, or have in the past LIVED ON THE ISLAND, have no idea what they’re talking about.
“how can you write about Cuba where you don’t even go?”
One shouldn’t make assumptions on topics they aren’t familiar with. Many Cuban bloggers are actually journalists who do in fact travel to the island. Many more still have family on the island. Families subjected to the same privations which you seem to support.
You sir, are not Cuban. Perhaps it is better to leave Cuban affairs up to the Cuban people – not foreigners, not undemocratic dictators.
Regards,
-Anatasio Blanco
Sorry for my error.
It’s Anastasio,not Anastasia.
Another point:
If you Cuban-Americans don’t want to go to Cuba, that’s fine with me, but why do you think you should have the right to deny everyone else who would like to see Cuba for themselves their right to go and do that?
Thanks,
Walter Lippmann
sometime maker of spelling errors
Well, I agree with you that the Cuban people are subjected to privations. That’s why I favor the right U.S. businesses to trade with Cuba – two way trade, not only sales TO Cuba, but Cuba’s right to sell to the United States.
And I agree very much that Cubans should decide what should happen to Cuba, but CUBANS ON THE ISLAND.
That’s why I feel that the privations Cubans are subjected to, by the Helms-Burton law, the Torricelli law, and the presence of a hostile military base in Guantantamo should all be removed.
Best wishes, Anastasio,
Walter Lippmann
ANASTASIO wrote:
Perhaps it is better to leave Cuban affairs up to the Cuban people – not foreigners, not undemocratic dictators.
It’s a tough nut to crack. Bottom line is – many in the exile community find it very difficult to stomach the idea of foreign tourists spending gobs of cash in Cuba, providing the regime with dollars to continue their repressive measures.
Many find the fact that Cuba has become one of the world’s top sexual tourism destinations appalling.
Fact is, tourism is currently one of Cuba’s number one commodities. Where do you think all those dollars used to maintain the state security apparatus come from?
On a more personal level – I can’t describe to you what it’s like to be denied access to a tourist-only beach in your own homeland. If you have never experienced, it’s highly likely that you’ll never understand. It’s a sickening ordeal to watch foreigners frolicking around the island while Cubans are life to wallow in the muddy barnyard of Stalinism.
-Anatasio Blanco
First, prostitution is legal in Nevada. So some of George Bush’s salary comes from the taxes paid by legal prostitution in the United States.
Second, in every country in the world, through every stage of history, people who have more money (usually men) find people who have less money (usually women) to have sex with them.
Cuba is no different from any other country on earth in that respect.
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ANASTASIA says:
Many find the fact that Cuba has become one of the world’s top sexual tourism destinations appalling.
You ignore the fact that most of the women in Cuba prostituting themselves are doing so as a result of having no other way to provide for their families – a direct result of Fidel’s stranglehold on the Cuban economy.
Your disregard for the well-being of Cuban women is quite apparent. I would imagine you support child sex tourism in Thailand as well. Disgusting.
“And I agree very much that Cubans should decide what should happen to Cuba, but CUBANS ON THE ISLAND.”
Cubans still on the island will undoubtedly have the principal role in the future however, voting privileges will most likely be extended to exiles as well. Do you actually think those exiles WANTED to leave their beloved homeland? Cuban in exile are still CUBANS. Furthermore, it increasingly seems like we’re the only ones fighting for our collective freedom.
Helms-Burton was a measure meant to punish corporations profiting from the trafficking in illegally seized businesses. I suppose you believe its alright to condemn the Nazi regime for theft of Jewish-owned businesses during World War II but not Cuban-owned businesses between 1959 and 1968? Again, a ludicrous double-standard.
Again, I must point out: You sir, are no Cuban. Our destiny should be left to us and not foreigners dictating from ivory towers.
We long for the reunification of our families and no one – not you, not Raul, can stop that from eventually happening.
By the way, my name is Anatasio – not Anastasio – the name was taken from a cousin summarily executed in 1961 after being set-up by a man he thought was a friend. You could at least spell the names of the dead correctly.
Oh, one more thing. I would assume you are the Walter Lippmann of walterlippmann.com fame.
That, sir, is one very shameful spectacle of Stalinist propaganda.
Again I must point out the following.
We as Cubans are not zoo animals bred to wander around an oppressive nation stuck in a time war for your perverse enjoyment. “Ahh, look at those cute Cubans in their vintage cars.” We sir, are human beings.
I will never understand how it is that individuals such as yourself would continue to support the subjugation of an entire nation despite the will of the people for change. Sick, sick, sick.
I apologize for the spelling error with your name, Anatasio.
My name is Walter because that’s what my parents decided to call me.
Fidel doesn’t prevent U.S. companies from investing in Cuba, Washington prevents that.
Fidel doesn’t prevent Cubans in the U.S. from visiting their families, Washington does that. You can go whenever you want. The Cuban government won’t even stamp your passport.
My interest in Cuba precedes my birth, since my father and his parents lived in Cuba during World War II. They weren’t able to enter the United States because there was no Jewish Adjustment Act which would grant special privileged entry to the Jews who managed to get out of Germany at that time.
I don’t see why Cubans should have special privileges that Mexicans, Haitians and Dominicans don’t have.
Why do YOU think Cubans should have special privileges and get in ahead of Mexicans and the rest?
Not sure which vintage cars you mean. My one friend with a vintage car has a 1973 VW bug.
Have I ever claimed to to be Cuban?
In the virtual world of the Internet, anyone can claim to be whoever they want. My arguments are my own. I make no other claim for them.
But continue to have a nice day!
Walter
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ANATASIO says:
I will never understand how it is that individuals such as yourself would continue to support the subjugation of an entire nation despite the will of the people for change. Sick, sick, sick.
Walter Lippmann says: “Fidel doesn’t prevent Cubans in the U.S. from visiting their families, Washington does that. You can go whenever you want. The Cuban government won’t even stamp your passport.”
This is quite an inaccuracy. Many Cubans in the U.S. are denied entry visas to Cuba–by the Cuban Interests Section, ie. Cuba’s MinInt. My cousin was one, even though it was verified by Habana that she is not a persona non grata.
The Cuban Interests Section treats Cuban exiles like dirt. Just try to contact them using their 10 phone numbers. They won’t answer. Just try to get an email response. No dice. Just try to get a response by letter. Laughable.
If the embargo were to be lifted, do you really think the Cuban govt. will suddenly make it any easier for Cuban-Americans to return to see their families?
I see little value in supporting a regime that practices what amounts to little more than fake capitalism (Soviet-style) under what Althusser categorizes as the repressive State apparatus at the expense of a people yearning, secretly and behind closed doors, for the human rights they deserve.
And I have been to Cuba, as I have family there.
Walter Lippmann, Fidel’s personal spokesman in America. I ask one question to you, why can’t the Cuban people speak for themselves? Lets hear their opinion on all the crap you are saying. Stop speaking in behalf of the Cuban people in Cuba, you do not have the authority and never did. Who do you think you are? One day there will be an investigation on you. Jose (Cubanology)
It seems none of the critics here agree with the approach of Cuba’s Roman Catholic leadership, such as Cardinal Jaime Ortega. He says Cuba needs dialogue, bridges and reconciliation.
All the critics here seem to want is confrontation and hostility.
Pope John Paul went to Cuba after Fidel Castro invited him. And after Cardinal Ratzinger became Pope Benedict, Cuba invited him to visit as well. Why can’t the critics see the need for openness and dialogue, without preconditions?
What are they so afraid of?
My opinion is my own. I make no claim to represent the Cuban people, or anyone else except my individual opinion. It’s the critics here who claim to represent the Cuban people. I don’t. I have answered your question.
Let me ask you:
Why should Cubans get special privileges, special rights and special advantages which are denied all other immigrants?
That’s what the Cuban Adjustment Act does. Cubans are all welcome to the United States, no matter how they get here, while anyone else who enters illegally is deported. Please answer my question.
Thanks.
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CUBANOLOGY asks:
I ask one question to you, why can’t the Cuban people speak for themselves? Lets hear their opinion on all the crap you are saying.
Always twisting things around Walter. To answer your question and head back to what I touched on before. First of all, Cubans are not immigrants, they are refugees. In Cuba there is no freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to bear arms, no freedom of anything. The Cuban people are not allowed to go on vacation, they can’t get a visa, they are slaves. They are politically suppressed, this makes them refugees, that’s why they get special privileges. The Wet Foot/Dry Foot policy is totally illegal and you are full of it, like always. I’m here protecting my people, my fellow brothers and sisters, what are you here for? Jose (Cubanology)
Mr. Lippmann
The special treatment Cubans get when it comes to immigration is not the subject of the discussion. Whether one needs to see something with their own eyes to know it exists is. As I said I’ve talked with many Cubans and I know exactly what the deal is. Bella Thomas’ account fall squarely within what is know about Cuba by all who aren’t apologists for the regime.
Nice try though on switching subjects.
dialogue, bridges and reconciliation
Let’s say that that allies had been unsuccesful in fully routing the Germans in WW2. Adolph Hitler remains in power in an entrenched and isolated Germany for 40 years. Meanwhile all the detestable things that went on during the war continued to happen in germany. Would you be in favor of dialogue, bridges and reconciliation?
I am all in favor of dialogue, bridges and reconciliation with the Cuban people once the regime is gone or removed. Perhaps you enjoy having tea with murdering psychopaths but that’s NOT my cup of tea.