JORDI BRADSHAW | Staff Writer
Gladys Alamo left Cuba in 1947 when she was 12 years old. The Cuba she remembers is full of beautiful homes and beaches, great food, proud people and a corrupt government. Because her family wasn’t well connected with the government’s ruling party, Alamo and her parents were forced to leave their country behind in search ofbetter jobs and greater opportunities.
In 1959, on a wave of support from the oppressed people of Cuba, Fidel Castro led rebel forces in the removal of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Castro promised a socialist revolution that would raise the working class out of the clutches of poverty and into a new era of prosperity and equality. Within a few years, it became evident that Castro’s socialist dictatorship would only devastate the economy further and alienate Cubafrom the world marketplace.
On Feb. 19, 2008, Castro resigned as president after nearly 50 years of rule. Within days his brother Raul was unanimously elected by the National Assembly to become Cuba’s new leader. “The primary thing you hear as the descendant of Cuban exiles is that Fidel Castro duped the Cuban people,” Athena Chiera, Alamo’s niece said. “Castro did not bring equality, instead he brought poverty of economy and spirit.”
Alamo stays in touch with family and friends who live in Cuba and is shocked and saddened by what they tell her about the country. “There is so much suffering,” Alamo said. “Cuban girls used to be raised to be very proud. Now there are 12 year-old girls who are prostitutes. I don’t want to go back because I’m afraid that my beautifulmemories will be ruined forever.”
Many wonder whether the end of Fidel Castro’s rule will result in positive changes for Cuba’s economy and morale. As it stands, jobs are as hard to come by as ever and most Cubans are denied basic rights and services because they lack money and connections. The election of Raul Castro has not brought renewed hope to the Cuban people.
“He’s still defi nitely a dictator,” junior psychology major Christina Marrero said. “A lot of the politicians in power in Cuba support dictatorships so they will continue to follow that pattern of leadership.” In 1961, the United States enacted an economic, commercial and fi nancial embargo against Cuba. All trade, travel and tourism with the country was cut off in an effort to openly admonish communism.
Through the years, the embargo has been expanded and solidifi ed by 10 different U.S. Presidents. According to the 1992 Cuban Democracy Act, the continued purpose of the embargo is to “bring democracy to the Cuban people.” Alamo, Chiera and Marrero all agree that the embargo should be ended.
“It’s time to wake up,” Alamo said. “It’s been too long already. The embargo hasn’t done anything. America thought they could drive out communism but it’s still as strong as ever.”
Chiera believes that opening trade with Cuba will help the Cuban people “see the possibilities available in a free market,” and “help them destroy the Communist regime that has governed them—if it doesn’t self-destruct on its own.” Many of the two to three billion Cuban exiles living in America are passionate about continuing the embargo as long as communism is still in their home country. To these people, it is a well-deserved punishment for the country’s governing powers.
Ironically, the United States enjoys open trade with every communist country except for North Korea and Cuba. It seems that, in continuing the embargo, the American government maintains peace with Cuban exiles that live in America, but ineffectively address the issue they hail as all important—bringing democracy to all.
As seen in our current situation in Iraq, the American military is well equipped to knock nations down, but lacks the power or infl uence to build them back up. The issues and grievances of Cuba will not be easily resolved. A full-scale revolution is necessary, but diffi cult to start and sustain. One thing is for sure: Raul Castro will only continue the work that his brother started nearly half a century ago.
Chiera says that, despite Cuba’s brokenness, there is still much to be cherished about the country and its people that goes far beyond government and economics.
