As February 19, 2008 comes to a close, one conclusion is clear: action is required.
Fidel Castro’s official relinquishment of power today marks a historic moment for Cuba. After nearly fifty years of absolute power, the world’s longest lasting dictator has officially stepped down. Those who love freedom throughout the world should find joy in Cuba being one step closer to being free.
However, a new chapter in Cuba’s history can not begin to be written just yet. The fact is that, despite of Fidel Castro’s official resignation, in this very moment Cuba still has political prisoners, there is still no free press, human rights abuses continue, there are no new political parties, the economy remains broken and backward, the educational system remains limited to the content that the communist party approves, quality health care remains only available to those who can pay in dollars, Cuban’s are still not allowed to travel freely out of the county and they continue to live in a humiliating apartheid system that limits their access to hotels and restaurants and does not allow them to pay for all of the country’s goods and services with the same currency that the sole employer on the island (the Cuban government) pays them. The fact is that the height of historical significance to which today’s events will rise will be determined by the actions that are taken over the coming months.
Fidel Castro’s relinquishment of power is an additional and necessary step towards Cuba finally being a free and democratic nation that allows for the political, social and economic self-determination of its citizens. Today’s events provide an additional catalyst for change; however, assertive action is required in the months to come if Cuba is to reach days of democracy anytime soon. This opportunity must not be wasted. Cuba’s civil society must continue to increase its organized and visible calls for change, brave and responsible change agents within the current government structure must step forward, the international community must not accept business as usual in Cuba and the Cuban exile community must act in unison, with the voice it has in the free world and with its economic resources, to support efforts to finally bring about the democratic Cuba that Cubans deserve. The relative level of success that can be achieved along these four points will determine the speed with which change ultimately comes to Cuba and therefore the ultimate significance of today’s events. Perfect execution on all points is not necessary and mistakes will inevitably be made, but without question further action is required.
We would love to your thoughts on what Fidel Castro’s resignation represents for you and how you plan to add your grain of sand in support of a free and democratic Cuba.
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5 comments:
Does anyone within CANF maintain a dialog with Cubans living on the island? What being said on the streets in Cuba?
This editorial in today's Washington Post, which was written by Robert Kagan of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, presents the view and hope that all embargo supporters have; namely that the embargo is our strongest lever of influence to promote true democratic change in Cuba, and that it not be squandered away hastily by easing it without a real quid pro quo.
Fidel's resignation marks the beginning of a long process. The most important issue now, I believe, is giving the people in Cuba the understanding that they have the power to change what they see fit. We must show that those inside of the island have the power to force change.
While the Cuban people do have the ability to stir up real change, it will be very difficult for them to build up momentum since they live in a practically omniscient police state. A massive uprising would be impossible to coordinate.
Look what happened to those kids that questioned Alarcon a couple of weeks ago. There are many reports that they were arrested and God knows what they were told, and after this they began to sing a different tune for mass consumption a week later on a government-run tv show. This was a clear message to any would-be heroes; speak up, and get hammered down into submission.
So long as Venezuela (or any other state) keeps subsidizing the Cuban regime to the tune of at least $6 billion a year, the Cuban regime will still be in a position to harshly repress the long pent-up frustrations Cubans feel towards their government and their deep-seated desire for freedom.
The Cuban Revolution is here to stay.
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