Cuba’s Post-Castro Revolutionary Transition

Fidel Castro’s decision to officially relinquish his elected post as president of Cuba once again defied the conventional, but stagnant “wisdom” of U.S. pundits and many Liberal, Right, and Left ideologues and politicians alike.

Dogmatic allegiance to anti-Communist Cold War canards accounts for his Miami-based critics, the U.S. government, and major news outlets being uninformed, as usual, about what’s happening in the socialist republic of Cuba. And unreflective, often dogmatic, ideological precepts have left many supporters of the Cuban revolution out of touch with the revolution’s self-diagnosed ailments and prescriptions.

Widespread debates and frank recommendations have emerged within the Cuban government and Cuban society over the past year since Fidel’s originally temporary successor, now newly elected Cuban President, Raul Castro, called for more critical reflection and recommendations to improve the quality of government and the quality of life in the not-so-vibrant Cuban revolution.

Changes among political representatives elected by local communities, open verbal and written criticisms about past errors in governance, over-reliance on the Soviet Communist experience, criticism of transportation woes, food shortages, low salaries, racial discrimination, homophobia, and even criticism of aspects of the vaunted health care system are easily found among the 60-plus on-line magazines, parastatal publications, and official speeches from leading government and Communist Party officials inside Cuba.

New Atmosphere

Shortly after assuming the post as acting president, Raul Castro told a group of students that they should be “fearless” in speaking up. And to his compatriots in governance, he asserted: “the person who plays the role of director needs to know how to listen and create the atmosphere so that people can express themselves with total freedom.”

How to unleash the gains of the revolution, and how to give the highly educated Cuban people greater opportunities is a recurring question throughout this new period of debate and policy recommendations.

Younger Cubans, including Communist Party members, avidly advocate for a modernization of the Cuban Revolution. In fact, in the discourse between Cuban citizens and Cuban political officials you see such terms as “participatory democracy” and public criticism of the lack of opportunity for the well-educated citizenry to improve their lives and advance the principles and the goals of the revolution. To the surprise many, and perhaps to the dismay of hard-line anti-Castro Cuban Americans and many mainstream Republicans and Democrats, Cubans — yes Cubans inside Cuba — have recently employed the expression “transition” to mark the depth and breadth of their desire and intent to renovate their socialist experiment, which many there openly describe as outdated, with contemporary needs and possibilities.

Fidel Revered

Of course there are Cubans who disapprove of the revolution. But they are by all accounts a very small percentage of the population and they should not be lumped in with those citizens who disapprove of how the revolution has been managed and its deficiencies, but not with its goals.

Where then does or should this Cuban transition lead the U.S. public and our government? First, we must face reality and accept the fact that despite the dislike to hatred that some Americans feel toward Fidel Castro, he is roundly applauded, even idealized, in Cuba and in many quarters of the world. He is revered, and not just in Latin America and the Caribbean, for the humanistic goals and social accomplishments achieved under his nearly half-century of leadership as Commander and Chief of the Cuban Revolution. The Cuban people have demonstrated in the face of persistent ideological, military, and terrorist threats from the United States that they and no other entity will determine the fate of their country and their democracy.

So, for all those who profess such deep concern for the Cuban people, now is another moment in history to honestly step forth and engage Cubans and their government on the terms they negotiate inside their own country. To do otherwise would be to remain mired in a bellicose anti-democratic and imperial policy against the Cuban government and objectively against the Cuban people, a policy increasingly rejected throughout the Hemisphere and around the world.
Opportunity for Cuba-U.S. Relations

Latin American and the Caribbean nations have made a clear turn to engage Cuba and to reject the aggressive posture and policies of the United States. Spain is working closely with the Cuban government and the United Nations on human rights issues, and the Cuban government is responding to the mutually respectful approach. Echoing public statements repeated by Raul Castro, Josefina Vidal, the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s director of North American affairs says: “Cuba is ready and willing to sit down at any table with the U.S. government to discuss every difference we have, without preconditions.”

Can Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or John McCain make a transition in U.S. policy and join the rest of the world in collegial debate and compromise with the Cuban people and the Cuban government? We, the people of the United States, need to take advantage of this moment of change and insist that our government join the sweeping hemispheric tide towards a new era in relations with Cuba.

James Early, the Director of Cultural Heritage Policy at the Smithsonian Institution and a Foreign Policy In Focus contributor, is a member of the board of trustees of the Institute for Policy Studies. He is also on the board of the U.S.-Cuba Cultural Exchange project and spent 10 days in Cuba earlier this year.

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20 Comments so far

jozef March 10th, 2008 12:27 pm

The author asks, “Can Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or John McCain make a transition in U.S. policy and join the rest of the world in collegial debate and compromise with the Cuban people and the Cuban government?” No. They cannot. The reason being that in order to win the White House each must pander to the Cuban communities in Florida and New Jersey. Two must win states. There will be no talk about making a transition and joining the rest of world as a result. And after the election, the new occupant of the White House will be beholden to these communities for the victory and so nothing will change. That is why Ralph Nader needs to be running and included in the debates. To force this issue and others into the open and to push the envelope toward the transitions that the authors speaks of.

bligh2 March 10th, 2008 12:55 pm

The author seems to be laboring under the illusion that a changeover in power, a “post-Castro transition”, is under way.
Cuba has only switched one Castro for another (Fidel for Raul),and not even that as Fidel remains First Secretary of the Communist Party and the holder of real power in Cuba.

The hierarchy may not like the answer to the question of how to modernize the revolution. Already last week, a high government official was questioned by a citizen as to why he was barred from entering tourist stores even when he had dollars to spend. He also wanted to know why he was prevented from traveling or using the internet. The official could only listen in embarrasment to these very pointed questions.

Like Gorbachev, who started saying “More Democracy!” while really meaning technical changes in government while leaving the Communist party enshrined in the Constitution, the leaders of Cuba after the Castro brothers may find out that giving any real democracy to the population will be letting the genie out of the bottle - and will result in the people choosing an entirely different system of Government.

I personally think that the embargo should be lifted, if only to test stated government position that it is the embargo that results in the political repression of the populace.

andersdl March 10th, 2008 1:25 pm

If the US hadn’t been installing fascist puppet dictators like Bautista in third world nations for the past century, the socialists and communists would have never rallied the popular support it took to enable the the governments of Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, etc.

If the US gov. lends any credibility to a left-leaning government it will shine an even brighter light on US imperialism.

jlocke123 March 10th, 2008 1:34 pm

bligh2 March 10th, 2008 12:55 pm:

“Already last week, a high government official was questioned by a citizen as to why he was barred from entering tourist stores even when he had dollars to spend. He also wanted to know why he was prevented from traveling or using the internet. The official could only listen in embarrasment to these very pointed questions.”

Bligh2, sigh, if only high government officials in the US could be questioned by citizens then we would know that democracy has taken a foothold in America. As of this moment citizens are restricted to what are euphemisticly termed “free speech zones” and the US press corps to paraphrase George Bush “has been around long enough to know not to ask questions like that”

In working democracies, Bligh2, the questions and answers scene is an integral part of political life. Unlike in the US, it is the reporter’s (and citizen’s) job to check and see that the government knows what it is talking about and is being honest with the boss (you).

unionguy March 10th, 2008 1:50 pm

bligh—above—- One person’s repression is another’s safety! Of course, that is obviously mis-used over and over. However, the Cuban Revolution has been under constant attack by US corporations, military, political and covert spy networks since it’s inception. The reason for those attacks have not one inkling to do with “democracy!” It is due to the Cuban people’s seizure of their own natural resources from the big US multi-national corporations.

I’ve visited Cuba three times, the first time in ‘69 as part of the first Venceremos Brigade. The other two were Union trips. I can state firmly that I can only wish that we in the United States had a form of democracy even approaching Cuba’s. Not only is there a solid, functioning parliment, which is elected (without any political party labels) under rules of all adults having sufferage, but their democracy for exceeds ours in terms of real democratic control over their economic lives. Everyone has free, and top quality, health care, there is fully funded public education, everyone has access to decent housing and a good living standard. These are, of course, compromised by the US imperialist illegal blockade. However, there are no rich/poor divides.

The Cubans have had to take many steps to ensure income, should as bldg a tourist industry, to which you refer. Without the blockade, those steps would be not needed.

I’d ask you, how would (or should) our nation react to a half century of being illegally blockaded, having an illegal foreign military base on our soil, having a hostile force only 90 miles away, openly armed by a hostile neighbor and constantly carrying out attacks on our nation, having sabotage of our industry, drinking water, medical supplies, food, agriculture, and subject to a myriad number of assassination attempts on our leaders, as well as facing the constant danger of being murdered by these invaders. This is what the small and heroic, island nation of Cuba has faced, all for having the adacity to have a revolution and establish a new, socialist economic structure.

Many so-called progressives in our nation would have Cuba drowned in their own blood, just to “prove” to them their democratic credintials. People of Latin America have seen their reform movements and revolutions brutally murdered. That is what occured in Guatemala, Chile, Brazil, Nicaragua, Argentina, Uruguay and even tiny Grenada were, all at the hands of various murderous US corporate regimes, all intent on reestablishing rule by the giant corporations. The issue of how much democracic one can be with murders at your door is a very real question in Cuba. I believe that they’ve been pretty damned democratic, with the exception of those that come to that country to commit acts of vandalism or murder. I dare say that, especially given the example of our latest regime, our “democracy” would have very little democratic left to it if we faced even 1% of what has been inflected on the Cuban pepole, all in our name and using our tax monies to do so.

Those bloodly, repressive counter-revolutionary coups not only harmed the long-suffering people of Latin America, but they also had negative consequences for our nation’s working pwople, as well. An example I like to cite is that of Chile. Prior to the Chilean Revolution, my Union (USW–steelworkers) had to strike Anaconda and Kennecutt Copper mines in Arizona and New Mexico. At that time, the strike lasted 6 months, as those companies just shifted production to Chile and our guys returned to work with minimal changes. However, after Allende’s election and the nationalization of those mines by the Chilean govt, another strike took place in the southwest, this time lasting only 2 days. We made real gains, as those multi-national corporations had to deal, up front, with our Union. After our nation’s secret service murdered Chile’s govt. leaders and established a vicious fascist regime, they also returned Chile’s copper mines to their previous “owners.” In the US, Anaconda and Kennecutt then launched a union busting drive, locked out the Union miners in the southwest and broke our Union there.

The Cuban revolution, confounding the many capitalist critics, has prospered, even moved in a more liberalizing manner, and is an accepted member of the international community. Actually, it has done even more. The Cuban Revolution held the fort until the rest of Latin America was able to develop strong, wide enough united alliances that got come to power and develop more equitable, progressive and socialist-directed economies. Cuba is now not merely accepted in rest of Latin America, but is revered! Fidel and the Cuban Revolution has now not only outlived 10 US presidencies, it is now confounding its biased critics again, by going through a peaceful, noneventful transition of power.

Democracy has much more meaning than just that of voting, although Cubans do clearly have that right, as well. Real democracy, which I see as much lacking in our own nation, must include the realistic access to the necessities of life, as well as those positive things in life that make it worth living. I strongly believe that we have a long, long way to go before we can arrogantly tell the rest of the world how to run their nations.

bligh2 March 10th, 2008 1:50 pm

Jlocke- I,m sure you have a point- I’m just not sure what it is. The article is about Cuba, and the “transition” that is going on there. I do know one thing- I can go out to my front yard and yell “George Bush is an evil Idiot!” and nothing would happen. In Cuba, you would be subject to arrest as a “counterrevolutionary”.

My point is that there is no “transition” in Cuba and never will be as long as the Castro’s are around.

lizard March 10th, 2008 1:59 pm

If the US ever takes it foot off Cuba’s throat, these people are going to become the envy of the world.

lizard March 10th, 2008 2:03 pm

Bligh2: Actually, depending on where you live, somebody just might punch you in the mouth. Remember, though, that Castro is very popular, while Americans are very down on Bush.You could also be reported to Homeland Security. Theoretically, you could simply disappear. So make sure your closets are really clean before you do any shouting in your neighborhood.

lizard March 10th, 2008 2:17 pm

Cuba has a GNP per capita of 1000 dollars. The US has 47,000.

Cuba’s infant mortality rate is 5.3, Canada 4.8, and the US 6.3.
Free health care of high quality.
Free education through university
Rent at 10% of income
One government provided meal per day per person.
Gov. provided school meals and lunches at work
Guaranteed income equivalent to 225 U.S. dollars a month.
Nobody dies when they have a hurricane. Even the animals are moved in time.

How many people would like that deal? 22.50 for rent. 202.50 per person for extra food and clothing. The bus, when it passes, is 50 cents. The poor of the US would take this deal right away.

And the country makes 1000 US dollars per capita. Go figure.

josephmorton March 10th, 2008 2:17 pm

There is much to be said for the article, but it is lacking in perspective of what has been happening in Cuba long before the change of the CAstros. Younger members of the government such as Carlos Lage and Felipe Roque have been involved in the transtition for a number of years. He would have done well to have consulted Richard Gott’s book before he went to Cuba, and I would suggest the book to the readers if they really want to get an accurate view of the transition in Cuba. The person who believes that there are dollar stores that do not admit Cubans with dollar equivalents (dollars have not been allowed to be used in Cuba for a number of years) is mistaken. There are stores where only convertibles (dollar equivalents) can be used, but there is not a restriction on who can buy with the money. Some stores only accept Cuban pesos. Cubans are not restricted from using hotels. What the restrictions are is that women cannot visit hotels with foreign tourists because of prostitution possibilities. There are not restrictions of using the internet. The costs are expensive–around 5 equivalent dollars an hour, but there is no check on who is using them–or no more of a check–and perhaps less so, of internet traffic in the U.S. There are problems of low salaries in Cuba, but the education and helath system are quite good, although like ever where, people do complain. Knowledge about Cuba is quite low in the U.S. and dominated by the Miami Cubans, and a U.S. press corps that is lazy and uninformed. The U.s. policy does not, and has not, made sense, and the real TRANSITION needs to be made by the U.S. but, as the one really good analysis points out, there is too much political capital to be gained from demonizing Castro by the Miami Cubans and the politicians. This is not likely to change anytime soon. If the Democrats were to give up the illusion that they needed Florida to win and put forth a realistic policy, I think the benefit would be great, but that is not likely to happen. The one benefit that Cuba is gaining from the embargo is that they are not being inundadted with burger and chicken restaurants, and the hotels are not owned by Marriott, Holiday Inn and the other terrible chains of the U.S.

jlocke123 March 10th, 2008 2:22 pm

bligh2 March 10th, 2008 1:50 pm:

“Jlocke- I,m sure you have a point- I’m just not sure what it is.”

Bligh2, “I refuse to enter a battle of wits with an unarmed man” (no I didn’t write that, bligh2, go back to school).

Bligh2, despite having read what passes for your “thoughts” I attempted to have a dialogue with you. As you have lived up to my meagre expectations, it will probably be the last time:)

Anyway the fact that you can “yell “George Bush is an evil Idiot!” and nothing would happen should be a warning that

a) Citizens’ voices are not heeded in America.

b) Your neighbours know you are an idiot as well.

RichM March 10th, 2008 2:25 pm

bligh2 (12:55 pm), a reactionary ignoramus & all-too-typical product of US brainwashing, writes, “The author seems to be laboring under the illusion that a changeover in power, a “post-Castro transition”, is under way. Cuba has only switched one Castro for another (Fidel for Raul),and not even that as Fidel remains First Secretary of the Communist Party and the holder of real power in Cuba….”

Meanwhile, the United States, supposedly some sort of model of “democracy,” has had a member of the Bush family as president or vice-president for 20 of the last 28 years. The only exception was while Bill Clinton was president; and now, it’s entirely possible that his wife will be the next president. This presumably demonstrates how “superior” our democracy is to that of Cuba. // If the Communist Party is the only party in Cuba, is that supposed to be worse than the fact that The Capitalist/Militarist/Imperialist Party is the only party in the US?

As andersdl (1:25) points out, If the US hadn’t been installing fascist puppet dictators like Batista in third world nations for the past century, the Cuban Revolution would never have come about. It’s a bit rich, after the US has done everything in its power first to exploit Cuba under Batista; then to destroy the Cuban Revolution, for American loudmouths to be complaining about Castro.

In fact, it’s a bit rich for American loudmouths to be complaining about any leaders of other countries in the world today, since the American population has sat by passively, while stolen elections, torture, and wars based on lies have become the defining characteristics of our society. Who the hell are politically ignorant Americans, to be passing judgement on anyone else?

Intelligent criticisms can be made of Castro, but as a whole, Cuba is vastly better off than it was while the US controlled it through its puppet Batista; exploited it for its rum, sugar, tourism, & Mafia-run casinos; and used it as a whorehouse for US businessmen. And on the worst day of his life, Castro is an impressive credit to the human race, vastly superior to Bush in every respect. There isn’t a single subject George W Bush would be able to discuss with Castro on anything like an equal level (except perhaps baseball).

At 1:50 pm, bligh2 tries to defend his brainwashed worldview by claiming “I do know one thing- I can go out to my front yard and yell “George Bush is an evil Idiot!” and nothing would happen.”
- This is supposed to prove, in bligh2’s mind, that the US has “freedom,” relative to Cuba. Actually, though, in all the ways that count, you can’t really criticize the leader in the US either. At the 2004 Conventions, antiwar protestors were kept fenced up in pens, far away from the convention halls. Bush himself never speaks to ordinary citizens; he only speaks in front of selected audiences — mostly military. The US media always seeks to throw up a protective smokescreen around Bush’s crimes — ie, the media refuses to paint Bush as the liar & criminal that he is. The only reason yelling in your front yard is permitted, is that the authorities here have calculated that such actions have no effect, & thus are not worth stopping.

unionguy March 10th, 2008 2:29 pm

lizard— While you might be correct, if you or I lived in Miami, for example, we could easily be murdered, with impunity, all for saying that Cuba has a right to live.

The fact is that the vast majority of US citizens, if we had the ability to democratically say so, would quickly do away with the blockade and establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. They’re are very wide alliances in our nation, that even include very conservative Republicans, that want to see our nation’s relations normalized with Cuba. The UN votes every year, and each and every single year, votes to condemn the illegal US blockade of Cuba, usually by votes of 180-2 (aparteid Israel votes with “us,” as racist South Africa used to, prior to their revolution). Even within the Cuban exile community there are dramatic changes occuring, as the second generation of Cuban immigrants are now taking a more realistic view of their parent’s former homeland.

Point being, be nice!!

We are, by far, by any count, the vast, vast, vast majority. People all across the globe, even farmers in the midwest who want to sell Cubans their produce, want to see peaceful and normal relations. If we can find the way to stop the murderous hands of the vicious “Gusanos,” our nation’s CIA and military, and have a decent, peaceful (and DEMOCRATIC) discussion, and carry out the results, we will (finally) be able to have peace and decent relations.

It is only our enemies, and the enemies of the Cuban people that gain from violence!

bligh2 March 10th, 2008 3:33 pm

RichM - Sorry, I would argue that is you and folks of your ilk that have a “brainwashed” worldview. You can say that Cubans have more “freedom” than those that live in the western democracies with an apparent strait face. This in spite of the fact that the Cubans have been under the dictatorial thumb of the same individual for the past fifty years- and now his brother. His return to the 1940 constitution and free elections- which he promised in 1959- have never happened.

Like it or not, I can and do loudly protest our government without fear of arrest. I could get on a plane today and fly to far parts of the globe if I so chose. I can sell my house tomorrow to whomever I like and move where ever I want without getting government approval. I can change jobs if I so choose .None of which is open to the Cuban people.

Happily, they will one day get the opportunity to choose their system of government. I have little doubt that they will go the same way that all Communist countries have gone when given the choice over the past quarter century-none have chosen to remain communist, all have rejected the idea of a one party state.

As I said before, do away with the blockade (which is not really much of a blockade to begin with) and let the chips fall where they may.

kloro March 10th, 2008 4:21 pm

obama would i think open new communication with Cuba. forget the other two.

wolfhsch March 10th, 2008 5:04 pm

@bligh2
I really don’t know where you get your information about Cuba. Maybe from the US Press? As josephmorton already has pointed out, there are no dollar stores in Cuba but stores which accept only CUC and everybody is allowed in. As for Internet access, there are literally hundreds of ETECSA Minipuntos and centros de llamada across the country where everybody has access to the internet if he or she so desires and has the money. Internet access is expensive and slow because Cuba has to use a satellite connection since the US is blocking maritime cable access. My emails home usually have a Chilean or Peruvian IP address. Another myth which I hear very often from Americans is, that it is illegal to own personal computers, which is total BS. Across from our office is a very well stocked Computer store where everybody who can afford it can buy a personal computer.

As for shouting out in public that Fidel is an Idiot, you might be missing a few front teeth after but you wouldn’t get arrested. And another thing: if there would be US style elections in Cuba, guess what, the same government would be elected in by a majority of the people.

The consensus in Cuba is, and you can hear that everyday, there will be changes and improvements, but not the Yankee way.

Dichterfreund March 10th, 2008 11:56 pm

“Happily, they will one day get the opportunity to choose their system of government.”

American voters have never had the opportunity to choose a system of government. We are simply told endlessly that this eighteenth century structure designed to ensure that a ‘natural aristrocracy’ would always retain power in the face of any plebeian insurrection.

bligh2 March 11th, 2008 7:34 am

I stand corrected on my “dollar stores” remark. It is not Dollars but “convertible pesos” that are used in these well stocked shops. But it is a distinction without a difference. The average Cuban has no access to these stores because they have no access to foreign currency to be used to purchase “convertible pesos” unless they have relatives abroad who send the money home. The average cuban must shop in “cuban pesos” shops that are far inferior to the shops that foreigners and the connected Cuban elite have access to.

So, economically, you have a two strata system. At the top, available to only a tiny elite, you can buy whatever you want. The rest of the population must live on the 10 days a month food ration and whatever they can pick up on the black market.

As far as the internet, I suppose it is possible to access parts of the internet if you have the $5 hour to do so. The problem is, one hour would cost you the equivalent of one full week of GROSS pay, something far out of the range of even highly educated Cubans.

My person view is that the Cuban people will hold on to the parts of the revolution that they are proudest of (health care and education) and scrap the rest (and get some modicum of personal freedom) when and if they are ever given the chance.

rjhuntington March 11th, 2008 7:43 am

For a very interesting first-person view of Cuba, visit the site http://IAmMyOwnReporter.com and read the conversations between the Californian owner of the site and the Cuban people he encountered during his many visits to the island.

He finds no poverty, no squalor, no oppression, no dictator, no police state, hardly any police presence, and almost no crime. Instead he finds well educated, well dressed, well fed people with excellent teeth living in decent homes and working regular jobs. They speak openly and freely without fear. They have affirmed their choice of government by ballot. Read the accounts of the Cuban people themselves.

In an unexpected way, the American embargo has probably been a good thing for Cuba because it has kept the worst of our society out of Cuba and probably helped prevent it from becoming a junk-food eating throw-away consumerist corporatocracy like ours.

Check out the site. Read the first-person accounts of life in Cuba.

Eric Barth March 11th, 2008 10:19 am

The best revolution post-Fidel would be a “velvet revolution” to a social-democratic republic and without the pernicious influence of “Washington Consensus” privatization. Read Naomi Klein’s THE SHOCK DOCTRINE to see can happen when leaders of former Communist governments take the advice of neoliberal capitalists. I don’t think the Cubans will fall for it this time because there is too much recent history to point to, e.g., Poland, the former Soviet Union, etc. Russia just became the country with the most billionaires, surpassing even our “Homeland.” Think about it.

jozef March 10th, 2008 12:27 pm

The author asks, “Can Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or John McCain make a transition in U.S. policy and join the rest of the world in collegial debate and compromise with the Cuban people and the Cuban government?” No. They cannot. The reason being that in order to win the White House each must pander to the Cuban communities in Florida and New Jersey. Two must win states. There will be no talk about making a transition and joining the rest of world as a result. And after the election, the new occupant of the White House will be beholden to these communities for the victory and so nothing will change. That is why Ralph Nader needs to be running and included in the debates. To force this issue and others into the open and to push the envelope toward the transitions that the authors speaks of.
bligh2 March 10th, 2008 12:55 pm

The author seems to be laboring under the illusion that a changeover in power, a “post-Castro transition”, is under way.
Cuba has only switched one Castro for another (Fidel for Raul),and not even that as Fidel remains First Secretary of the Communist Party and the holder of real power in Cuba.

The hierarchy may not like the answer to the question of how to modernize the revolution. Already last week, a high government official was questioned by a citizen as to why he was barred from entering tourist stores even when he had dollars to spend. He also wanted to know why he was prevented from traveling or using the internet. The official could only listen in embarrasment to these very pointed questions.

Like Gorbachev, who started saying “More Democracy!” while really meaning technical changes in government while leaving the Communist party enshrined in the Constitution, the leaders of Cuba after the Castro brothers may find out that giving any real democracy to the population will be letting the genie out of the bottle - and will result in the people choosing an entirely different system of Government.

I personally think that the embargo should be lifted, if only to test stated government position that it is the embargo that results in the political repression of the populace.
andersdl March 10th, 2008 1:25 pm

If the US hadn’t been installing fascist puppet dictators like Bautista in third world nations for the past century, the socialists and communists would have never rallied the popular support it took to enable the the governments of Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, etc.

If the US gov. lends any credibility to a left-leaning government it will shine an even brighter light on US imperialism.
jlocke123 March 10th, 2008 1:34 pm

bligh2 March 10th, 2008 12:55 pm:

“Already last week, a high government official was questioned by a citizen as to why he was barred from entering tourist stores even when he had dollars to spend. He also wanted to know why he was prevented from traveling or using the internet. The official could only listen in embarrasment to these very pointed questions.”

Bligh2, sigh, if only high government officials in the US could be questioned by citizens then we would know that democracy has taken a foothold in America. As of this moment citizens are restricted to what are euphemisticly termed “free speech zones” and the US press corps to paraphrase George Bush “has been around long enough to know not to ask questions like that”

In working democracies, Bligh2, the questions and answers scene is an integral part of political life. Unlike in the US, it is the reporter’s (and citizen’s) job to check and see that the government knows what it is talking about and is being honest with the boss (you).
unionguy March 10th, 2008 1:50 pm

bligh—above—- One person’s repression is another’s safety! Of course, that is obviously mis-used over and over. However, the Cuban Revolution has been under constant attack by US corporations, military, political and covert spy networks since it’s inception. The reason for those attacks have not one inkling to do with “democracy!” It is due to the Cuban people’s seizure of their own natural resources from the big US multi-national corporations.

I’ve visited Cuba three times, the first time in ‘69 as part of the first Venceremos Brigade. The other two were Union trips. I can state firmly that I can only wish that we in the United States had a form of democracy even approaching Cuba’s. Not only is there a solid, functioning parliment, which is elected (without any political party labels) under rules of all adults having sufferage, but their democracy for exceeds ours in terms of real democratic control over their economic lives. Everyone has free, and top quality, health care, there is fully funded public education, everyone has access to decent housing and a good living standard. These are, of course, compromised by the US imperialist illegal blockade. However, there are no rich/poor divides.

The Cubans have had to take many steps to ensure income, should as bldg a tourist industry, to which you refer. Without the blockade, those steps would be not needed.

I’d ask you, how would (or should) our nation react to a half century of being illegally blockaded, having an illegal foreign military base on our soil, having a hostile force only 90 miles away, openly armed by a hostile neighbor and constantly carrying out attacks on our nation, having sabotage of our industry, drinking water, medical supplies, food, agriculture, and subject to a myriad number of assassination attempts on our leaders, as well as facing the constant danger of being murdered by these invaders. This is what the small and heroic, island nation of Cuba has faced, all for having the adacity to have a revolution and establish a new, socialist economic structure.

Many so-called progressives in our nation would have Cuba drowned in their own blood, just to “prove” to them their democratic credintials. People of Latin America have seen their reform movements and revolutions brutally murdered. That is what occured in Guatemala, Chile, Brazil, Nicaragua, Argentina, Uruguay and even tiny Grenada were, all at the hands of various murderous US corporate regimes, all intent on reestablishing rule by the giant corporations. The issue of how much democracic one can be with murders at your door is a very real question in Cuba. I believe that they’ve been pretty damned democratic, with the exception of those that come to that country to commit acts of vandalism or murder. I dare say that, especially given the example of our latest regime, our “democracy” would have very little democratic left to it if we faced even 1% of what has been inflected on the Cuban pepole, all in our name and using our tax monies to do so.

Those bloodly, repressive counter-revolutionary coups not only harmed the long-suffering people of Latin America, but they also had negative consequences for our nation’s working pwople, as well. An example I like to cite is that of Chile. Prior to the Chilean Revolution, my Union (USW–steelworkers) had to strike Anaconda and Kennecutt Copper mines in Arizona and New Mexico. At that time, the strike lasted 6 months, as those companies just shifted production to Chile and our guys returned to work with minimal changes. However, after Allende’s election and the nationalization of those mines by the Chilean govt, another strike took place in the southwest, this time lasting only 2 days. We made real gains, as those multi-national corporations had to deal, up front, with our Union. After our nation’s secret service murdered Chile’s govt. leaders and established a vicious fascist regime, they also returned Chile’s copper mines to their previous “owners.” In the US, Anaconda and Kennecutt then launched a union busting drive, locked out the Union miners in the southwest and broke our Union there.

The Cuban revolution, confounding the many capitalist critics, has prospered, even moved in a more liberalizing manner, and is an accepted member of the international community. Actually, it has done even more. The Cuban Revolution held the fort until the rest of Latin America was able to develop strong, wide enough united alliances that got come to power and develop more equitable, progressive and socialist-directed economies. Cuba is now not merely accepted in rest of Latin America, but is revered! Fidel and the Cuban Revolution has now not only outlived 10 US presidencies, it is now confounding its biased critics again, by going through a peaceful, noneventful transition of power.

Democracy has much more meaning than just that of voting, although Cubans do clearly have that right, as well. Real democracy, which I see as much lacking in our own nation, must include the realistic access to the necessities of life, as well as those positive things in life that make it worth living. I strongly believe that we have a long, long way to go before we can arrogantly tell the rest of the world how to run their nations.
bligh2 March 10th, 2008 1:50 pm

Jlocke- I,m sure you have a point- I’m just not sure what it is. The article is about Cuba, and the “transition” that is going on there. I do know one thing- I can go out to my front yard and yell “George Bush is an evil Idiot!” and nothing would happen. In Cuba, you would be subject to arrest as a “counterrevolutionary”.

My point is that there is no “transition” in Cuba and never will be as long as the Castro’s are around.
lizard March 10th, 2008 1:59 pm

If the US ever takes it foot off Cuba’s throat, these people are going to become the envy of the world.
lizard March 10th, 2008 2:03 pm

Bligh2: Actually, depending on where you live, somebody just might punch you in the mouth. Remember, though, that Castro is very popular, while Americans are very down on Bush.You could also be reported to Homeland Security. Theoretically, you could simply disappear. So make sure your closets are really clean before you do any shouting in your neighborhood.
lizard March 10th, 2008 2:17 pm

Cuba has a GNP per capita of 1000 dollars. The US has 47,000.

Cuba’s infant mortality rate is 5.3, Canada 4.8, and the US 6.3.
Free health care of high quality.
Free education through university
Rent at 10% of income
One government provided meal per day per person.
Gov. provided school meals and lunches at work
Guaranteed income equivalent to 225 U.S. dollars a month.
Nobody dies when they have a hurricane. Even the animals are moved in time.

How many people would like that deal? 22.50 for rent. 202.50 per person for extra food and clothing. The bus, when it passes, is 50 cents. The poor of the US would take this deal right away.

And the country makes 1000 US dollars per capita. Go figure.
josephmorton March 10th, 2008 2:17 pm

There is much to be said for the article, but it is lacking in perspective of what has been happening in Cuba long before the change of the CAstros. Younger members of the government such as Carlos Lage and Felipe Roque have been involved in the transtition for a number of years. He would have done well to have consulted Richard Gott’s book before he went to Cuba, and I would suggest the book to the readers if they really want to get an accurate view of the transition in Cuba. The person who believes that there are dollar stores that do not admit Cubans with dollar equivalents (dollars have not been allowed to be used in Cuba for a number of years) is mistaken. There are stores where only convertibles (dollar equivalents) can be used, but there is not a restriction on who can buy with the money. Some stores only accept Cuban pesos. Cubans are not restricted from using hotels. What the restrictions are is that women cannot visit hotels with foreign tourists because of prostitution possibilities. There are not restrictions of using the internet. The costs are expensive–around 5 equivalent dollars an hour, but there is no check on who is using them–or no more of a check–and perhaps less so, of internet traffic in the U.S. There are problems of low salaries in Cuba, but the education and helath system are quite good, although like ever where, people do complain. Knowledge about Cuba is quite low in the U.S. and dominated by the Miami Cubans, and a U.S. press corps that is lazy and uninformed. The U.s. policy does not, and has not, made sense, and the real TRANSITION needs to be made by the U.S. but, as the one really good analysis points out, there is too much political capital to be gained from demonizing Castro by the Miami Cubans and the politicians. This is not likely to change anytime soon. If the Democrats were to give up the illusion that they needed Florida to win and put forth a realistic policy, I think the benefit would be great, but that is not likely to happen. The one benefit that Cuba is gaining from the embargo is that they are not being inundadted with burger and chicken restaurants, and the hotels are not owned by Marriott, Holiday Inn and the other terrible chains of the U.S.
jlocke123 March 10th, 2008 2:22 pm

bligh2 March 10th, 2008 1:50 pm:

“Jlocke- I,m sure you have a point- I’m just not sure what it is.”

Bligh2, “I refuse to enter a battle of wits with an unarmed man” (no I didn’t write that, bligh2, go back to school).

Bligh2, despite having read what passes for your “thoughts” I attempted to have a dialogue with you. As you have lived up to my meagre expectations, it will probably be the last time:)

Anyway the fact that you can “yell “George Bush is an evil Idiot!” and nothing would happen should be a warning that

a) Citizens’ voices are not heeded in America.

b) Your neighbours know you are an idiot as well.
RichM March 10th, 2008 2:25 pm

bligh2 (12:55 pm), a reactionary ignoramus & all-too-typical product of US brainwashing, writes, “The author seems to be laboring under the illusion that a changeover in power, a “post-Castro transition”, is under way. Cuba has only switched one Castro for another (Fidel for Raul),and not even that as Fidel remains First Secretary of the Communist Party and the holder of real power in Cuba….”

Meanwhile, the United States, supposedly some sort of model of “democracy,” has had a member of the Bush family as president or vice-president for 20 of the last 28 years. The only exception was while Bill Clinton was president; and now, it’s entirely possible that his wife will be the next president. This presumably demonstrates how “superior” our democracy is to that of Cuba. // If the Communist Party is the only party in Cuba, is that supposed to be worse than the fact that The Capitalist/Militarist/Imperialist Party is the only party in the US?

As andersdl (1:25) points out, If the US hadn’t been installing fascist puppet dictators like Batista in third world nations for the past century, the Cuban Revolution would never have come about. It’s a bit rich, after the US has done everything in its power first to exploit Cuba under Batista; then to destroy the Cuban Revolution, for American loudmouths to be complaining about Castro.

In fact, it’s a bit rich for American loudmouths to be complaining about any leaders of other countries in the world today, since the American population has sat by passively, while stolen elections, torture, and wars based on lies have become the defining characteristics of our society. Who the hell are politically ignorant Americans, to be passing judgement on anyone else?

Intelligent criticisms can be made of Castro, but as a whole, Cuba is vastly better off than it was while the US controlled it through its puppet Batista; exploited it for its rum, sugar, tourism, & Mafia-run casinos; and used it as a whorehouse for US businessmen. And on the worst day of his life, Castro is an impressive credit to the human race, vastly superior to Bush in every respect. There isn’t a single subject George W Bush would be able to discuss with Castro on anything like an equal level (except perhaps baseball).

At 1:50 pm, bligh2 tries to defend his brainwashed worldview by claiming “I do know one thing- I can go out to my front yard and yell “George Bush is an evil Idiot!” and nothing would happen.”
- This is supposed to prove, in bligh2’s mind, that the US has “freedom,” relative to Cuba. Actually, though, in all the ways that count, you can’t really criticize the leader in the US either. At the 2004 Conventions, antiwar protestors were kept fenced up in pens, far away from the convention halls. Bush himself never speaks to ordinary citizens; he only speaks in front of selected audiences — mostly military. The US media always seeks to throw up a protective smokescreen around Bush’s crimes — ie, the media refuses to paint Bush as the liar & criminal that he is. The only reason yelling in your front yard is permitted, is that the authorities here have calculated that such actions have no effect, & thus are not worth stopping.
unionguy March 10th, 2008 2:29 pm

lizard— While you might be correct, if you or I lived in Miami, for example, we could easily be murdered, with impunity, all for saying that Cuba has a right to live.

The fact is that the vast majority of US citizens, if we had the ability to democratically say so, would quickly do away with the blockade and establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. They’re are very wide alliances in our nation, that even include very conservative Republicans, that want to see our nation’s relations normalized with Cuba. The UN votes every year, and each and every single year, votes to condemn the illegal US blockade of Cuba, usually by votes of 180-2 (aparteid Israel votes with “us,” as racist South Africa used to, prior to their revolution). Even within the Cuban exile community there are dramatic changes occuring, as the second generation of Cuban immigrants are now taking a more realistic view of their parent’s former homeland.

Point being, be nice!!

We are, by far, by any count, the vast, vast, vast majority. People all across the globe, even farmers in the midwest who want to sell Cubans their produce, want to see peaceful and normal relations. If we can find the way to stop the murderous hands of the vicious “Gusanos,” our nation’s CIA and military, and have a decent, peaceful (and DEMOCRATIC) discussion, and carry out the results, we will (finally) be able to have peace and decent relations.

It is only our enemies, and the enemies of the Cuban people that gain from violence!
bligh2 March 10th, 2008 3:33 pm

RichM - Sorry, I would argue that is you and folks of your ilk that have a “brainwashed” worldview. You can say that Cubans have more “freedom” than those that live in the western democracies with an apparent strait face. This in spite of the fact that the Cubans have been under the dictatorial thumb of the same individual for the past fifty years- and now his brother. His return to the 1940 constitution and free elections- which he promised in 1959- have never happened.

Like it or not, I can and do loudly protest our government without fear of arrest. I could get on a plane today and fly to far parts of the globe if I so chose. I can sell my house tomorrow to whomever I like and move where ever I want without getting government approval. I can change jobs if I so choose .None of which is open to the Cuban people.

Happily, they will one day get the opportunity to choose their system of government. I have little doubt that they will go the same way that all Communist countries have gone when given the choice over the past quarter century-none have chosen to remain communist, all have rejected the idea of a one party state.

As I said before, do away with the blockade (which is not really much of a blockade to begin with) and let the chips fall where they may.
kloro March 10th, 2008 4:21 pm

obama would i think open new communication with Cuba. forget the other two.
wolfhsch March 10th, 2008 5:04 pm

@bligh2
I really don’t know where you get your information about Cuba. Maybe from the US Press? As josephmorton already has pointed out, there are no dollar stores in Cuba but stores which accept only CUC and everybody is allowed in. As for Internet access, there are literally hundreds of ETECSA Minipuntos and centros de llamada across the country where everybody has access to the internet if he or she so desires and has the money. Internet access is expensive and slow because Cuba has to use a satellite connection since the US is blocking maritime cable access. My emails home usually have a Chilean or Peruvian IP address. Another myth which I hear very often from Americans is, that it is illegal to own personal computers, which is total BS. Across from our office is a very well stocked Computer store where everybody who can afford it can buy a personal computer.

As for shouting out in public that Fidel is an Idiot, you might be missing a few front teeth after but you wouldn’t get arrested. And another thing: if there would be US style elections in Cuba, guess what, the same government would be elected in by a majority of the people.

The consensus in Cuba is, and you can hear that everyday, there will be changes and improvements, but not the Yankee way.
Dichterfreund March 10th, 2008 11:56 pm

“Happily, they will one day get the opportunity to choose their system of government.”

American voters have never had the opportunity to choose a system of government. We are simply told endlessly that this eighteenth century structure designed to ensure that a ‘natural aristrocracy’ would always retain power in the face of any plebeian insurrection.
bligh2 March 11th, 2008 7:34 am

I stand corrected on my “dollar stores” remark. It is not Dollars but “convertible pesos” that are used in these well stocked shops. But it is a distinction without a difference. The average Cuban has no access to these stores because they have no access to foreign currency to be used to purchase “convertible pesos” unless they have relatives abroad who send the money home. The average cuban must shop in “cuban pesos” shops that are far inferior to the shops that foreigners and the connected Cuban elite have access to.

So, economically, you have a two strata system. At the top, available to only a tiny elite, you can buy whatever you want. The rest of the population must live on the 10 days a month food ration and whatever they can pick up on the black market.

As far as the internet, I suppose it is possible to access parts of the internet if you have the $5 hour to do so. The problem is, one hour would cost you the equivalent of one full week of GROSS pay, something far out of the range of even highly educated Cubans.

My person view is that the Cuban people will hold on to the parts of the revolution that they are proudest of (health care and education) and scrap the rest (and get some modicum of personal freedom) when and if they are ever given the chance.
rjhuntington March 11th, 2008 7:43 am

For a very interesting first-person view of Cuba, visit the site http://IAmMyOwnReporter.com and read the conversations between the Californian owner of the site and the Cuban people he encountered during his many visits to the island.

He finds no poverty, no squalor, no oppression, no dictator, no police state, hardly any police presence, and almost no crime. Instead he finds well educated, well dressed, well fed people with excellent teeth living in decent homes and working regular jobs. They speak openly and freely without fear. They have affirmed their choice of government by ballot. Read the accounts of the Cuban people themselves.

In an unexpected way, the American embargo has probably been a good thing for Cuba because it has kept the worst of our society out of Cuba and probably helped prevent it from becoming a junk-food eating throw-away consumerist corporatocracy like ours.

Check out the site. Read the first-person accounts of life in Cuba.
Eric Barth March 11th, 2008 10:19 am

The best revolution post-Fidel would be a “velvet revolution” to a social-democratic republic and without the pernicious influence of “Washington Consensus” privatization. Read Naomi Klein’s THE SHOCK DOCTRINE to see can happen when leaders of former Communist governments take the advice of neoliberal capitalists. I don’t think the Cubans will fall for it this time because there is too much recent history to point to, e.g., Poland, the former Soviet Union, etc. Russia just became the country with the most billionaires, surpassing even our “Homeland.” Think about it.

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