Fidel Castro Has Passed Away
By Osmel Ramirez Alvarez
HAVANA TIMES — Fidel Castro died last night at age 90; the country is in mourning. He was a man who left his mark on the history of Cuba and the world; who did a lot of good as well as a lot of bad in his search to do the right thing along his path of extreme utopias. However “as he stood with the poor, he deserves respect,” from both his friends as well as his enemies.
It was always believed that the remains of the Cuban Revolution’s Comandante in Chief would be put on show in a majestic mausoleum, imitating those of Lenin and other Communist leaders, Even in the areas surrounding Jose Marti Memorial in Revolution Square, in the capital, there is wasteland that appeared to be waiting for a building of this greatness.
However, today we have awoken to a tragic itinerary which is extremely austere for the great leader: Funeral honors will last nine days, his body will be cremated as he wished; his ashes will be shown at the Jose Marti Memorial in Revolution Square on November 28th and 29th, which will end in a mass farewell ceremony in the Square itself at 7 PM on the last day; then his ashes will travel around the entire country along a route which will reenact his Victory Caravan march in 1959, however in reverse. This tour will end in a mass ceremony as a farewell in Antonio Maceo Square in Santiago de Cuba on December 3rd at 7 PM; and then his ashes will rest in Santa Ifigenia Cementery in the Eastern capital, in a burial ceremony that will take place from 7 AM onwards on December 4th.
Every death is unfortunate and the truth is that Fidel Castro is greatly admired in Cuba, in spite of his mistakes and the great consequences they’ve had. It would be insensitive of his firmest enemies to not leave behind their offensive and radical language at this time, because today it will just resound as brutal and cruel. Asking for sadness would be too much, but showing joy would not only be a sign of a lack of respect, but of weakness too. I’m not a believer but I have always admired the Christian mandate of “loving your enemies.” I feel like this makes us the bigger people in the situation and gives us nobility.
Fidel was not able to make his dreams come true because he chose an extremist socialist path and he never left it even when historical reality cried out to him to do so. His personal war, which became our own, against US imperialism weighed heavier, and that stopped him from abandoning his utopia. However, it´s also fair to mention that after his initial career as a guerrilla fighter, he made international politics using Cuba’s heath, education and sport achievements while others used war to do so. And his ideas, although flawed, left many positive things which we can no longer make the most of because this system persists, but will become great strengths to launch our well-being soon, when we take lead of our country.
It’s also worth pointing out that people on the street have woken up with this extremely important piece of news and it would be very strange to see anyone joyful, however, it’s also significant that nobody is sad or crying. We are talking about a great leader. When Che’s death was announced in the 1960s, it was said that people shouted and wailed in the streets as if it had been their brother or a son; I also know that there was public mourning when Lenin, Stalin, Mao or Uncle Ho. It is also striking and positive that our people still have respect for the leaders of the Revolution at this stage, but are no longer devoted like they were in the past. It’s a good sign not only of ideological detachment but also of tolerance and harmony; the absence of hate.
A new era will begin today in Cuba’s history. Fidel’s person, although rickety because of his old age, used to inspire a great deal of respect from the old school of extreme socialists and used to bring necessary changes to a halt. Whether it’s Raul or somebody else who comes after Fidel, they will feel freer to experiment without having to look over their shoulder, to open up spaces to the new or the old which is a good thing, to find a path for national reconciliation and to make progress; a path “for everyone and for the well-being of all Cubans.”
And it’s not about making firewood out of a fallen tree but about making the most of the fact that this tree no longer exists so as to build a better building for the Homeland on this vital piece of land, a space that has been occupied for so long. For over five decades, Cubans here and abroad have discussed the question of keeping or knocking down this tree, because some people considered it God while others considered it the Devil. However, history wanted to bring us to this point where it was Nature itself who would bring about this turning point.
For Fidel, our honors; for those who loved him and followed his ideas, our condolences; for his enemies and detractors, thanks in advance for your sensitivity and the wish for a better landscape post-Fidel; for Cuba, our wishes for the best of futures.
Hi Carlyle in response to your statement, I have been in a Cuban home and more than one for that fact as well have visited Cuban schools to deliver pencils for the children and pens for the teachers. I have a Cuban friend that is a qualified barrister that earns less than a local Cuban prostitute so my “blissful ignorance” and information is not solely based on “carefully fed propaganda”. Not all people born in England are white as I’m sure you will appreciate, I too am in a mixed racial marriage but am of Caribbean decent, I and am speaking from my experiences and what I witnessed. Its a shame you didn’t elaborate on your experience because being stopped is a daily occurrence in so many countries but at least you didn’t get shot dead like in America. A census is a census for its obvious reasons. However, aside from my response to Carlyle, who ever England has chosen to war against, I take neither responsibility nor credit for. Moving on briefly a lot of what I have read in the ongoing discussions is clearly racial venom by many of the other participants. And the person calling whiteguy “Sir”, on any level of irony whiteguy is just not deserving of such a title. Hey whiteguy I’ve no interest in North Korea.
I don’t. Pack them up and send them back.
Man is mortal as well as we all.
Cubans love their leader for decades. Why we do cry .
You obviously don’t support the democratic process. What is the US doing in Hawaii and Alaska? The Falkland Islands are British by the choice of its people, but you would deny them!
Don’t you know that there is daily delivery of ‘Granma’ to that paradise reserved for socialist thinkers?
Fidel’s cable to Nikita Khrushchev was on October 27. NIkita responded on October 30 be pointing out to Fidel that such action would have undoubtedly have started a Third World War.. It is Billy a matter of record, I am not making a claim.
and Raul Castro rejected it!
I can and do take thousands of dollars to Cuba each and every year. The US remittances though Western Union to Cuba total over $3,5 billion per year.
GAESA which controls all imports, purchases lots of food products from the US and Coca-Cola is on sale in Cuba. WestJet a Canadian airline flies the same planes into the US that it flies into Cuba. So yet again Martyn you are out to lunch. My concerns about human rights are that Cuba should meet those laid down by the UN. I repeat that I have no particular admiration for the US. As for Mr. Scargill, he represented a policy of active violence in pursuit of his ambitions. no doubt like some other Trade Union leaders, he hoped to end up in the House of Lords. But may I remind you Martyn that the Havana Times is about Cuba!
I am sorry that you had a failed relationship with a Cubana and only a brief period in Cuba because when knowing it well, Cuba is a beautiful country with a people for whom I have a deep affection. They deserve freedom and will only achieve it if the rotten ‘socialismo’ terminates.
Raul was however a KGB puppet. Check upon his history from April 1953 onwards.
If you were not obviously sincere in your miss-information, I would find your comment almost laughable. Let me repeat that which is so obviously erroneous, you write that Cubans are “free and content”.I can only conclude that you may have visited Havana – in much of Cuba Internet is not available and where it is available, it is limited – try googling ‘Raul Castro executions as a test.. Cuba is one of the most censored countries in the world.
When at home in Cuba, I have no access to the Internet. Being related to over sixty Cubans and with friends who vary from being musicians (one is the father of an Emmy award winner), professionals including doctors and teachers and with neighbours who include municipal workers and taxi-particular drivers, I can tell you that your view is somewhat innocent.
As for my ears, I also hear the crowing of cockerels, the barking of hungry dogs and the grunting of pigs when lying in bed at night. The cockerels are for illegal cock-fighting, the dogs are hungry because Cubans have to struggle to feed their families and the pigs are a means of raising a few extra pesos. We keep all our edible waste for a neighbours pig.
Ever read the reports of the Ladies in White being attacked by gangs of MININT thugs?
Censorship and being censored are as you ought to recall from school, are different. There is no censorship in the US. The vote in the United Nations proposed the lifting of the US embargo upon Cuba. There were two votes against it, the US and Israel which does not forget the Cuban military participation in the invasion of Israel led by al-Asad’s Syria – the Yum Kippur War.
Fortunately Israel roundly defeated them, one of the few actions by the Castro regime which does not have an annual remembrance in Cuba.
The relevance of my comment Martyn is that Maggie proposed introducing her poll tax first in Scotland. As you hail from the North-east, give a wave to Foggieloan from me. Do you really think that single pensioner living in Craigievar Castle should pay less local tax than three blue-collar workers living in Stanley Street, Aberdeen?
To say that Cuba out-performs the USA on education, welfare, healthcare, liberty and freedom is a fatuous statement. I am not a particular admirer of the US – if you can bring yourself to reading my book upon Cuba you will find that out, but I am a realist. I know the Cuban educational system and schools well. My wife as a profesora provides me with daily contact. Why not read the Constitution of Cuba and the clear definition given of the purpose of education – which is communist thinking. I can quote if you wish. Welfare consists of the permuta and an $8 per month pension – as received by my mother-in-law. Healthcare provides good doctors but decrepit hospitals with broken windows. missing door handles and lack of some of the drugs which the doctors would like to have. In Cuba as you ought to recall, there is a President of the CDR on every block of every village, town and City and a full report is given to MININT upon the behaviour of every citizen, there is no freedom of speech and criticism of the regime is a criminal offence, all media is State controlled and the reporters (periodistas) are employed by the State and/or military. So much for liberty and freedom.
Get your head out of the sand beside Donald Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course and take a look at reality – don’t just blether.
well heck whitdude, everyone bails for one reason or another.
Remind me why are the shops empty/ Oh yes I remember it is the Embargo imposed by the U.S.A. which prevents in law any transportation that has entered Cuba from entering any U.S.A. territory, it is the law passed by Bush that made it illegal for any citizen of the world to take dollars to Cuba.
As for human rights ask the UK miners in the 1980’s about repression, suppression and false imprisonment. As for the U.S.A. just watch the news virtually every night to see yet more reports of violence by the police against its citizens, Have you not heard of rendition, black, black ops let alone the obscenity of Guantanamo.
Ever heard of the Ladies in White? who regularly openly peacefully march and protest against the Cuban Regime. They as a mark of respect for the feelings of their fellow Cubans are not protesting during the 9 days of mourning
1st U.S.A. is the most censured country by the Haigh court of human right for its treatment of Cuba 191 against them. I would say that consumerism and being lead by politicians many of whom illegally lined their pockets whilst passing laws and amendments to suppress the poor and disadvantaged, yet never saw the inside of a courtroom for their dishonesty, deception and blatant theft,
I do not see any relevance as to whether I live d in Scotland, you do not make it clear. I am originally from the North East and I am only too aware of the hardships and inequalities of the system, which in its own way oppresses the poor and disadvantaged whilst allow an elite few to flourish obscenely. How can you justify higher local taxation on 2 pensioners living in their own home which the have worked all their lives for against 2 council tenants living in already subsidised housing..
As I was married to a Cuban I have lived in Cuba even if it was only for a max of 3 months due to punitive restrictions by the Cuban Government and it was my Cuban wife who got addicted to the comforts and the consumerism of the UK who dictated where we lived. Compare Cuba to any 3rd world country and they wins hands down on every score and actually out performs the U.S.A. on education, welfare, healthcare, liberty and freedom.
How many shops were sunk? HMS Ardent, 19 + 1 lost in HMS Sheffield, 19 + 1 lost in HMS Coventry and 13 lost in HMS Glamorgan
during the 74 days of the conflict: 74 days ? The U.S, only took 100 HOURS in the Gulf war!!!!
So a vote means you own an island how far away from your mainland? Colonial rule died a long time ago.
255 killed[nb 1]
775 wounded
115 PoWs[nb 2]
2 destroyers
2 frigates
1 LSL ship
1 LCU craft
1 container ship
24 helicopters
10 fighters
1 bomber
Is the loss list for England. You got your azz handed to you by a banana republic.
Swallow those facts.
And just to top it off, I have operated with British units in NATO ops and they suck. Remember it was the U.S. that bailed you clowns out of ww2 and is the sole reason you are not speaking German right now!
Just the guns?
But look at what you and your forebears did to the aboriginal peoples of the US. The huge majority of US citizens are the descendants of immigrants – you included!
They are boat people. There is a difference between Ellis Island and a random beach in Fla.
Paperwork counts.
They bailed due to ww1.
If you describe life in Cuba, don;t use the word “quality”
Cuba has debt exceeding $25 billion – get your head out of the sand and check your facts! China agreed in 2016 to extend further credit.
Can you give one illustration of a Cuban publicly criticizing the Castro regime?
Most Cubans have no way of accessing the Internet, there is limited access to limited Internet in relatively few locations at a minimum of $2 per hour (average earnings being less than $1 per day.
Pointing out the faults of others does not excuse the Castro brothers for the horrendous list of executions without trial.
The Havana Times is about Cuba – but for some reason dissident US citizens use it to vent their spleen against their own government and country. If those of other nationalities acted similarly, their would be little comment upin these pages about Cuba.
The rest of us tire of the US dissident rants!
Agreed. Tic toc, tic toc.
Moses does have a pulse on things since he lives in Cuba. The situation in Cuba, with Fidel Castro’s death, is going to be interesting. As i’ve stated, many who are living in Cuba liked the guy. Sadly, Germany in the thirties, most German’s liked Hitler. Personally, in the US, we have someone now in power that puts a bit of fright into me so the US has its own problems.
Cubans who arrived through the provisions of the Wet foot/Dry foot program are LEGAL migrants as well.
Executing criminals without trial ? Was Osama Bin Laden executed after a trial or was the US administration afraid all the secrets behind how the CIA and Pentagon were in bed with murderous Islamic radicals would become public ? And all the terrorists which the CIA supported to scuttle and sabotage Cuba after Castro took power, not to mention the 630 attempts to assassinate him ; and not to mention the violent overthrow of democratically elected regimes and replacing them with murderous dictators like Pinochet in Chile, and in Argentina & in other Latin American nations-all supported by successive US presidents and executed by the CIA !!
Just remember that he urged Nikita Khrushchev in writing on October 27th 1962 to make a nuclear strike upon the USA!
Raul will continue to rule with an iron dictators rod as he has for the last eight years. There will be no change. It was under Raul that the Barrack Obama approach was rejected one week after Obama left Cuba.
Doesn’t affect Cubans – the shops seldom have toilet paper for sale! Why not move to Cuba so that you can experience ‘socialismo’ in practice?
Britain has had the Falklands since 1838. A vote was held only some 5 years ago, when the choice was to join Argentina or remain British. The population voted 98% to remain British. Would you deny them their democratic rights?
Time Whiteguy to get your political history and facts right. The UK roundly defeated Argentina following the Argentina invasion of the Falklands. The Falklands are 400 km distant from Argentina. Have you examined the history of the US related to Cuba? If so, then you would comprehend why the Constitution of 1902 and the Platt Amendment are regarded with detestation, you would understand that the military occupation of Cuba from 1906-09 when US Secretary of War appointed himself as ‘Governor’ of Cuba started a running sore upon which Fidel Castro was able to build. Get to know your facts rather than displaying ignorance.
Try being one of the oppressed Cubans and think again!
Or is Moses being hopeful bjmack?
Let us now record Fidel Castros less publicized achievements.
21st January 1959:
“Besides the number of henchmen we are going to execute will not be more than four hundred.”
This followed little brother Raul Castro executing seventy eight people without trial at Santiago de Cuba on January 12th, 1959.
Cuban archival materials document 3,615 executions by firing squad during Fidel Castro’s dictatorship. An additional 1,253 extra judicial killings have been attributed to the regime.
Prostitution is commonplace in Havana today. Just walk through the backstreets from old Havana to the Capitolio at any time of day or if you wish to pay more than 10 CUC, pay a visit to the Tropicana.
The Communist Party of Cuba has a propaganda department (it actually bears that name) which ensures that in pursuit of the cult of the personality pictures of Fidel, Raul and Dr. Ernesto Guevara de Serna Lynch are displayed in every classroom. Parents of children who teach their children anything which is contrary to communism, within their own homes can be jailed for three years. The described purpose of education is:
Chapter V Article 39 (c) Constitution of Cuba:
(c) To promote the patriotic education and communist training for the new generation.
The Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR) was established on September 28th 1960 when Fidel Castro declared its purpose to be:
‘A collective system of revolutionary vigilance so that everybody knows who lives on every block, what they do on every block, in what activities are they involved and with whom they meet.”
Instruction was provided by the infamous East German Stasi.
The CDR has a President on every block of every village town and city in Cuba and regular reports are made to MININT (Ministry of the Interior) with an annual report in writing upon every individual. MININT also operates the external Cuban spying system and is operated by General Alejandro Castro Espin (Raul’s son).
When the Italians decided to sell their original 27% shareholding in ETECSA the monoploy telephonic system of Cuba, a company was formed with two principals Raul and Fidel Castro named RAFIN SA..They coughed up $706 million. Fidel lived in a five house complex in Siboney, Havana but also had a two island retreat joined by a 700 foot long bridge, where he kept his yacht Aquarama II. At both homes he had a swimming pool and in Siboney a tennis court.
You MarkDonners insult FDR, de Gaulle and Churchill by linking them in any way with Fidel Castro. It was Winston Churchill who said:
“The inherent vice of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.”
Fidel Castro fulfilled that in his oppression of the people of Cuba. His leading characteristic was an overwhelming arrogance which sadly he was able to apply for almost fifty years prior to having to retire following his colostomy. Yes, he was well endowed to be a leader – back in 1944 he was the Cuban Schools Athlete of the Year with an impressive 6’4″ in height, and that ability to pursue hectoring addresses to people assembled for the purpose in Revolution Square. His prolonged rant at the UN of 4 hours and 29 minutes remains a record and can best be described as verbal diarrhea.
Cuba remains one of the ten most censored countries in the world there is a complete ban on free media. All the periodidstos (journalists) are employed by the State and toe the Party line. All eight TV channels are controlled by the State. Limited access to the Internet is available in a few places to tourists at $2 per hour or more but Cubans at large averaging under $1 per day do not have access.
I asked three teachers at one of the pre-university schools about their views of the book Dr, Zhivago, regarded as one of the literary masterpieces of the 20th Century. None of them had even heard of it.
It may be that until you read this you were unaware of the reality of Cuba – in my case I am married to a Cuban profesora and my home is in Cuba.
Incidentally, are you aware of Raul Castros visit to the USSR one month after Stalin’s death
when he was introduced to Nikolai S. Leonov of the KGB? Leonov subsequently arrived in Mexico City in 1956 to advise Fidel, Raul and Guevara, then in 1959 following Fidel taking power, was Moscow’s man in Havana. He is now 86 but at one time was Putin’s boss in the KGB.
I say all this for the record and challenge anyone to disprove anything I have written
If they were so great why didn’t they stay in Cuba and improve that place?
Parents born here.
Grand parents migrated legally.
America’s failure policy president by president has created suffering for Fidel’s enemy. Amicable relation could bring things far better than despicable, arrogant and hostile attitude. At least Obama did right thing.
How did your parents or grandparents get to the US? Spaceship?
Cuban suicide rates are very high. Check your source. Cuban doctors are far from world class.The US embargo has nothing to do with the crumbling infrastructure. Castro was a dictator. Nothing he did or could have done justifies taking away the basic freedom of the Cuban people.
Debt free? Hahaha! Google Paris Club Castro
Lol. When referring to our country (the USA) you can interchangeably refer to it as a democracy or Republic. We are a democratic Republic. …you sir are still an ignorant arse.
Imgrants (including Cubans who risk their lives on the open ocean to get here) make this the great countey it is. Just ask Hamilton, Einstein, Erving Berlin, Madeline Albright, Arnold Schwarzenegger…….
Sorry. My comments were directed at Whiteguy
Not for those of us who suffered under his brutal dictatorship. Even today, Cubans are not afforded the right you are exercising here in freely expressing your thoughts. And you defend that?
I believe most people in the U.S. sincerely wish the best for the Cuban people and hope the relationship between our countries continues to improve in a mutually beneficial way. Cuba produced a remarkable leader in Fidel Castro but we all know that absolute power corrupts even the most lofty ideals.
He clearly did not live like the rest of his people. He was a soviet puppet.
I suppose North Korea is high on your list as well.
I seem to remember England getting it butt shot off by the Argentinians. Is it not a fact that England is meddling in the affairs of Argentina by claiming the Falkland Islands?
The British empire was all into colonial control of other lands yet you want to blame the U.S. over Cuba? Pot calling the kettle black eh?
Read up on the Cuba missile crisis t understand the U.S. va Cuba debate.
His brothers have live to see 90 and 91, so 4 to 5 years if family history is a guide. But at near 86, time is closing.
Not by choice. For now Raul is installed as President as he has been for last 8 years. But with more freedom now to set the course.
I live in England and so am eyes from the outside looking in and have visited Cuba on several occasions so can compare also. Fidel’s aim was to rid inequality and so create a better life for all Cuban’s but he continually hampered by America’s efforts to ruin him and his country with their attempts including the bay of pigs and the embargo. They have excellent education, world class doctors, one of the lowest crime rates and suicide rates world wide. With reduced infrastructure due to the embargo they have had to manage such as obligatory car pooling and the list goes on. The resident Cubans are in the same struggle together there is no class distinction and no racial prejudice. Where in the world other than Cuba can you find this? Soon this may all change, be careful of what you wish for. It is regrettable that Cuban’s who fled during the revolution found themselves exiled but America used Cuban’s to try and assassinate Fidel so what choice did he have. Very few Cuban’s such as doctors got the opportunity to travel abroad. He was unable to make every thing perfect but which other leader worldwide has come close? R.I.P Fidel Castro.
(Nathalie)
Get a clue. The U.S. was founded as a REPUBLIC not a democracy.
Goes to show what you don’t know.
Nope. no white hood. Try again.
could not have put it better,
the americans corrupt through stealth and the dollar like britain is
cuba needs to steady and the miami cubans need to move on
r i p fidel
I guess the question is what now is going to happen on both sides of the straits?
Brutal but correct.
I tend to agree with you that those who live in Cuba and experience the day to day reality of living under the Castro family regime are better able to give opinion. The difficulty is that few are able to do so in a country where all the ‘periodistas’ (journalists) are employed by the regime and there is no free media. Secondly it is an offence to criticize the regime for which people are jailed. However, as one whose home is in Cuba but is not a Cuban national, I was able to explain the current position for Cubans in Cuba in my book ‘Cuba Lifting the Veil’. Dedicated to the people of Cuba, it describes both political history, the way of life under the Castros, the role of the CDR and MININT and the history of the US in Cuba up to and including the visit by Barrack Obama in March, 2016.
I do not expect those who admire Fidel Castro or the very manipulatively talented Raul Castro to necessarily like what I wrote, but have yet to be challenged upon any of the facts provided.
So Mongoose, you can check on the web and read the impressions of one who also lives in Cuba. Ralph the Cat may also be interested.
Is your brain and ethics in the same dark hole as your white hood and guns?
God Bless Fidel
He bent the USA over and gave them a good shafting .
And a well deserved shafting too.
R,I.P.
This is probably one of the most objective articles I have read about Fidel in H.T. Instead of celebrating his death, the author writes about both sides of the issue.
I think he had reason to be a bit paranoid.
You sir are a first class arse. My parents actually immigrated to Cuba from Ireland in the 1930s. I was born in Cuba and imigrated to the US in the 60s. Im going out on a limb here, but I would say we have done more for this country than you. After all, the tenants of democract transend race and creed. Something that you are obviously ignorant about. Immigrants that have lived under a dictator have a better understanding of freedom than those born to freedom.
Remember his victims on this day.
Good riddance, this “Boil on the Backside” of Humanity has finally been lanced. Too bad for Cuba that it didn’t happen 50 years ago with a bullet. But at last we can rejoice in saying; “Roast in Hell, Fidel”.
I was born here. Cuban boat people were not.
How can you ask for respect and Christian mandates when discussing Castro? He was a brutal dishonest leftist who for the most part betrayed the Cuban people and terrorized them far worse than Batista. At least with Batista you could leave but Castro ruined the economy, dragged the island into the cold war, and made the island a prison. The people were/are not allowed access to outside media, the internet, or even the right to leave. Few even have telephones. Because he was not as bad as Pol Pot should he be remembered kindly?
Not Irish…
He was a communist and destroyed the futures of all the others on the island.
It is up to your people to pick the direction. why would you let the dictator’s brother stay in power?
Fidel Castro, one of the Great Men of the 20th century, is gone. He achieved more good in his time than most other 20th Century leaders. Let us count his accomplishments:
a successful Revolution that saved Cuba from being the casino and whorehouse of The United States; defeating the counter Revolution launched by that same United States; establishing free education and healthcare for everyone and subsidized housing for many; surviving the many assassination attempts mounted by that same United States and struggling to bring freedom from Colonial rule in Latin America and Africa.
I regret that he didn’t live to see the restoration of diplomatic relations with United States, the end of the embargo, and an apology from these United States for attempting to invade the island, kill him and kill the Cuban people by economic strangulation.
I would put him in the 2nd tier of 20th Century leaders, behind FDR, Churchill, de Gaulle. Meanwhile aging Cuban exiles, content, for the most part, to stay safe in the United States and throw stones at Cuba, and who couldn’t carry Fidel’s shoes, will also die out, but as the losers they are.
How does the late Fidel Castro find out?
The same respect that Fidel had for individual rights and freedoms?
Sometimes I wonder if the CIA and Kennedy would have left Castro alone, we might have enjoyed cordial relations with Cuba instead of constantly trying to murder Castro.
Sad? Sad that it took so long.
Raul has got one foot in the grave himself. In fact, I wonder what the over/under is his kicking the bucket?
Put a pay toilet on his grave and pay off their national debt………………..
Correction! Viva Cuba libre!
THE HERO OF DEBT FREE CUBA IS NO LONGER. SAY WHATEVER YOU MAY, but…
1. Sovereignty is dignity and priceless. Americans have lost their sovereignty since 1871.
2. False prosperity is for believers without a foundation.
3. Keynes is obsolete and most are clueless.
4. All markets are paper Ponzi manipulations.
5. World debt towers Us$150-trillion and most are chin deep into debts but are anti-Castro because they can still breathe and besides, are quite happy breathing chin deep.
6. Most Cubans are humble yet literate. Most Americans are not poor, yet illiterate. You can’t have it both ways, but literacy is priceless.(2016.11.26)
=====================================
O HEROI DE CUBA LIVRE DE DÍVIDA NÃO ESTÁ MAIS CONOSCO.Diga o que quiseres, no entranto…….
1. Soberania é dignidade. A maioria dos Americanos são iletrados e a maioria dos Cubanos são letrados e tem teto. Isso não tem preço.
2. A falsa prosperidade é para os crentes sem fundamentos.
3. Keynes está obsoleto, e a maioria não sabem disso.
4. Todos os mercados são apenas papel e manipulados.
5. A dívida mundial está superior à Us$150-trilhões e as pessoas estão até queixo profunda em dívidas mas são anti-Castro visto que podem ainda respirar e com felicidade, apesar de não dormirem mais. (2016.11.26.)
6. ================================
Live Coverage/acompanhe ao vivo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKkM768M8No&feature=em-lbcastemail
TRUMP, LIKE MOST AMERICANS, is clueless about history.
TRUMP’S ORIGINAL STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF FIDEL CASTRO, TODAY, NOV., 26, 2016.
Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights.
While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve.
Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. I join the many Cuban Americans who supported me so greatly in the presidential campaign, including the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association that endorsed me, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba.”
—————————————————————————
TRUMP’S ORIGINAL STATEMENT FROM THE OTHER SIDE:
Today, the world marks the passing of one of the greatest leaders in the history who from within a small island resisted the brutal dictatorship of the Puppetry of the Federal Reserve who has been oppressing their own people as well as the whole human race for over 6-decades. The US Corp’s-Federal Reserve is a symbol of a firing squad (hundreds of world leaders have been assassinated by the US Corp.,), theft of the world’s gold, unimaginable suffering, poverty, unpayable debt of over Us$152-trillion and denial of fundamental human rights of a People’s Treasury, to Al Capone – Loretta Lynch’s DOJ encounter with Clinton in the back of a parked plane.
While the Federal Reserve’s US Corp., remains a totalitarian rogue state since the Act of 1871 and with the assassination of Pres. Kennedy in 1963, it is the hope of humanity that the US Corp., move away from the horrors of Ponzi Currencies endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful American people finally live in freedom from the Federal Reserve’s US Corp., they so richly deserve.
Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by the Federal Reserve’s US Corp. (WWII, slave trade, slavery, gas chambers, apartheid, land grabbing), cannot be erased, the People, heirs of the Creator, will do all it can to ensure the American people can finally begin their journey toward debt free prosperity and liberty from the stranglehold of the Federal Reserve’s US Corp., The People, heirs of the Creator, join the many American citizens who endorse their Creator so greatly in the freedom campaign, including the Indian Brigade defending their burial grounds in North Dakota, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free US Constitution Rule.
Fidel Castro was a master of political deceit motivated by a combination of astonishing arrogance and deep paranoia. Those who participated in the revolution in the Sierra Maestra included many who were motivated by seeking liberty and freedom for the people of Cuba. The leaders included Camilo Cienfuegos and Huber Matos who were opposed to communism, indeed Cienfuegos was the first appointed head of the military with Raul Castro being his deputy. Matos stood at Fidel’s left hand side when he entered Havana on January 8th, 1959. Both were to pay a heavy price – Cienfuegos by mysteriously disappearing enabling Raul Castro to head the military and Matos along with 38 others being put on trial personally conducted by a vindictive Fidel because Matos had sought to retire to civilian life and in his letter of resignation to Fidel, wrote pointedly that:
“Great men begin to decline when they cease to be just.”
Che Guevara and Raul Castro proposed that Matos be executed, but Fidel answered by saying that he did not wish to make a martyr and condemned Matos to rot in jail for twenty years.
“There can be no danger if we do what Cubans want, if we provide social practice and solve the substantial social problems of all Cubans OF LIBERTY, OF RESPECT FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND THOUGHT, OF DEMOCRACY, OF LIBERTY TO SELECT THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT.”
That statement clearly reflects that Fidel Castro knew what Cubans actually expected from the revolution and those factors which he outlined were subsequently denied by him for Cubans. Even following the October 1959 trial of Matos, Fidel Castro said:
“They have no right to accuse the revolution of being communist.” (December 14th, 1959)
It was later on April 16th 1960 that he disclosed appropriately in Havana’s main cemetery, that his
regime was communist. Significantly he also eventually said that he had been a Marxist all along.
Fidel’s paranoid hatred for the US was demonstrated by his proposal on October 27, 1962 to Nikita Khrushchev that the USSR should launch a nuclear strike against the US.
For Cubans, Fidel’s death changes nothing. They remain under the power and control of little brother Raul as dictator, with the Communist Party of Cuba acting as his lackeys and under the eagle eye of MININT and the CDR reporting to MININT upon who is living on every block, what they do on every block, on the activities in which they participate and with whom they meet. BIG BROTHER is now dead, but the dictatorial power and control is weilded firmly by Raul who first met with the KGB in Russia in April 1953.
The exiles in other countries including those in Miami are cheering today, but it will be a long time before they can head back home, for nothing is changing within Cuba itself.
Very balanced article. Thank you
When a large figure passes, it opens space for change. The direction we shall wait to see. It is for Raul to show the direction.
I just knew someone would come up with this.
But you are not there. The author is.
You better pack up and move back to Ireland because you’re now the minority here. LOL
Well written article. Thank goodness for the Revolución that rid the island of Batista and so much corruption and abuse of humanity, but damn the stubbornness from both sides, the USA and the Castro regime, that caused the people of Cuba to suffer for so long. ¡Viva Cuba! ¡Viva la Revolución!
Right after you pack up and head back home to Europe!
Sounds like the standard Leftist propaganda and Marxist hero worship, could have been written by the Obama speech writers and delivered by Josh Earnest. When is our teary-eyed Dear Leader heading south for the funeral?
He obviously believed that he was doing the best for Cuba, however personally I believe that he was a wicked despot who kept his people and country back for 60plus years, he and his family have benefited and the ordinary Cuban people have suffered.
A great man, inspirational leader. A sad day.
He was a great leader of the time.Use respect when posting about his death.
An enemy of the West and free democracy, a tyrant who censured the press and free expressions Communist ti the end .God Rest his Soul if he had belief in God! well he has found out !
Communism is un amazing.
Over 600 assassination attempts and he dies of old age. lmao
There are some celebrating and others in mourning. Life never ceases to amaze me.
Best news all day.
Now all you boat people pack your bags and head on home to Cuba.
I am calling bull on this whole article.