Fidel Castro's government offices are in the heart of Habana located on the Plaza de Revolution.
There is no shortage of evidence that Fidel Castro was highly educated by the time him carefully orchestrated the takeover of Cuba from the Americans. There is no doubt Fidel Castro is a very intelligent man. His intellectual prow ness is second to none. Through out the world he has been admired as a modern day martyr along side Che Guevarra the man who led the military into Habana from Santa Clara, a small town five hours outside Habana. The battered and corrupt Batista government of the day fled with tons of cash to the U.S. The U.S. government, the mafia and corporate America lost millions in the takeover yielding one of the most value pieces of real estate in the world. All Cuba has remained in
Fidel's pocket ever since and his military and police force maintain that grip very firmly. Fidel is not alone in his quests and visions.
Rumor has it that he controls thirty casas for his personal use. For security reasons, he rotated residences constantly thus offsetting any would be assisins from knowing exactly where he was located. According to 'educational' videos from Cuba, there have been over 670 attempts on his life. His government's secret service has foiled all attempts both on Cuban soil and in foreign countries. When he travels by air he takes three planes. One has him on it and the other two carry food and supplies, cigars, clothes and his personal security staff including a stand in look alike who often is used as a decoy.
Understandable, there were many who wanted him dead. He foiled all assasination attempts and has outlasted nine U.S. presidents. Fidel Castro is a highly educated man and has a sizeable list of accomplishments. He has outwitted many opponents including when he answered international criticism to his government in the 1980's by announcing anyone who wanted to leave Cuba for the U.S. could do so. Supposedly this was symbolic of showing how free and democratic his country was. When the U.S. sent ships to Cuba Fidel emptied all his jails and mental institutions and loaded up the boats with anyone his government deemed undesirable. This event gave fuel to the script of the classic movie 'Scarface' with Al Pacino.
Fidel removed crime from the his streets, opposition to his power while performing on the world stage showing his willingness to accommodate 'democracy'.
Volumes of literature has been written by and about Fidel Castro but all this can simple be put aside. One simply needs to go into the homes and streets of Cuba to determine the obvious.
Drastic change is overdue and nowhere in sight. For many Cubans there is no bright future.
Did you say Ka Ka?
I was at a pig farm in the middle of nowhere and people still did not want me mentioning Fidels's name out loud. I remember being in Vedado in Habana and many times witnessed people closing their shutters to prevent my voice from being overheard. I was taught not to ever mention his name. People simply are afraid something bad will happen to them.
For three years in Cuba, I carried my sense of democracy and free expression in stride. I listened to many people in private who would voice concerns about the historical tyranny of the Castro government.
One night while enjoying the company of my Cuban wife and male family member at a streetside bar in Guanabo, Cuba I finally experienced the hand and power of the Cuban police. It is impossible not to be confronted by the police in Cuba. I have had several 'discussions' with the police like most tourist. Many times the police play a necessary social role to simply make sure things run smoothly. The police in Cuba are literally everywhere in the streets and always checking peoples identification and questioning what they are doing and where they are going and why they are doing what they are. On this particular night in Gunabo, I went to the washroom and upon returning someone jokingly asked me if I went 'ka ka' in the 'bano' or toilet. Upon finding out 'ka ka' meant having a bowel movement I joined all at the table in frolic and laughter impulsively declaring "Fidel is ka ka" ! It took very little time for 12 police to show up, summon me from the table and check all my identification and ask me if I in fact did utter that Fidel is ka ka. After 20 minutes of questioning my wife and male family member came to see if I was okay. The police did not like them coming to my rescue. Add to the mix that we have been drinking. Next thing I know is that my wife and the male friend are both detained and thrown in a police car. The police did not ask them nothing or give them any opportunity to speak. The police pepper sprayed their eyes. They were taken to the police station and hosed down with water. The police let me go. By the time I got to the police station in a public taxi, my wife eyes were all swollen up, she was crying and her beautiful clothing was all soaking wet.
We sat at the police station for about four hours till about seven o'clock in the morning. I was not allowed to say anything but instructed to sit down and shut up. During this time, immigration authorities interviewed me and pointed out that one can not say 'Fidel is ka ka' in Cuba. I was instructed to sign a document declaring my guilt. Further to this I was informed if repeated again, that this kind of behavior will lead to my removal from Cuba with no allowance for return. I declared that my heart was the same as Che; I asked them to imagine someone pushing him around and telling him he could not say something..that he would never back down or else Cuba would not have its freedom today. I emphasized we are from different cultures. I my country, Canada, we have real political freedom to express ourselves and even vote!
I was eventually persuaded to understand that the were teaching me a lesson: we can't hurt you but we can hurt anyone your with! They eventually forced me to sign a document declaring my guilt even though I protested I had done nothing wrong. My wife and friend were exhausted and suffering. I paid all the fines for all us. We went home and I am no longer voice my opinion publicly about anything in Cuba. In the end, I was not interested in liberating Cuba from its chains. It became obvious that there are many people in Cuba who will blow the whistle on anyone and everyone who mentions Fidel's name. I had heard many stories depicting the oppressive and forcefulness of the police. This was not the first time I had seen the police in action. I have seen them extort money from many people driving cars. I know of two instances where the police arrested tourist's girlfriends for no other reason that to call them in the middle night asking for money in exchange for the girl's freedom. Prices ranged from $100.00 to $300.00 dollars. Most tourists do not want to pay it but when you are romantically involved you are easy to convince. Some woman actually work with the police to scam unsuspecting tourists. Routinely 20-30 policemen will stand outside a disco at closing time and just pick off all the Cuban woman with tourists. It is illegal for Cuban woman to be with tourists. The Castro government views them as prostitutes. In is not uncommon to find many of these woman in jail for up to two years depending on the interpretation of their actions.
The police are corrupt. The police are working for the government. Fidel may distance himself from this and many other testimonials but the truth sheds light on the fact his whole government and dictatorship is no better than the tyranny of the mafia and U.S. government when it was in power. All the subsequent political debates and rhetoric about socialism and the revolution is just that. The fact is Cuba under Castro has and will continue to suffer whether it is pepper spray or more subtle methods of suppression. Most of the people in Cuba have lived their wholes lives like this.
Residency regulations give the police the right to arrest anyone who is out of their home town or city. Yes, in other words, people from Santiago can be charged. Residency regulations restrict people from working and living in another area of Cuba without the governments written approval which may come in the form of new government Identification. Everything has a price.
The Miami 5
While America's justice and political system has long put to rest the controversy, Fidel used the conviction of five Cubans men in Miami, Florida as a catalyst to rally his 22 million citizens in anger toward the United States.
Why were the five men put in jail in America?
The collage of posters above can be seen everywhere in Cuba including airports and tourist hotels. The Cuban government has constantly protested the Miami 5's conviction on television forcing the issue into the mainstream of everyday Cuban life.
This poltical issue is constantly and carefully manipulated by the Cuban govenment to create a a central political theme to rally anti-American sentiment throughout the world. Emotional testimonies by tearful family members often depicts the Miami 5 as innocent victims of U.S. imperialism. Televised broadcasts are well orchestrated to raise opposition to the United States while at the same time beckoning all Cubans to unite together behind the Castro government to continue to confront this great injustice whenever and wherever they can.
Such campaigns often boost nationalistic sentiments of the Cuban people thus giving them ample reason to overcome all the daily hardships ultimately taking the focus off their own government for accountability. This loophole creates the opportunity for the government to perpetuate and justify all its actions thus creating an illusion that any and all suffering in Cuba is the fault of the evil United States. Outside the waterfront location of the American Embassy the Cuban governmet had large billboards illustrating how Adolf Hilter plus Mussolini equal George Bush. The Cuban government raised up large flag poles with huge black flags on to block the view from the windows of the U.S. Embassy. For years Fidel has protested the Americans being in Guantanamo Bay by refusing to cash their cheques for the property lease. In addition, the plaza directly outside the U.S. Embassy has been constantly used for political rallies. Fidel Castro has been taunting the U.S. with these activities for years.
Fidel Castro has outlasted nine U.S. presidents. Many overatures by both the U.S. and Cuban governments were made when Obama became president. Aided by Fidel Castro's political apprentice, Hugo Chavez of Venuzuela, South America also raised hopes that the United States would moderate its political tone toward Cuba.
For weeks the rhetoric was strong with brother Raul speaking openlying about forging a new and better relationship with the U.S. False hopes started to perpetuate the world that at last 'communism' would losen its tight grip around Cuba and a new day will soon dawn ending many of the problesm. Obama led U.S. factions to extend a hand of compromise. After weeks of the drama unfolding finally Fidel played his hand. He corrected many of Raul's statements in the Cuban and international media explaining that Raul misunderstood and misinterpreted what Fidel had instructed him to say. Fidel Castro claimed that if the U.S. was sincere it would extend the olive branch of peace by releasing the Miami 5. Later it was announced by the U.S. high courts that all and any appeals failed to convince them that the Miami 5 were falsely convicted. This must really please Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez because once again they will manipulate this to their best advantage within their own countries. Ultimately, the Miami 5 are more valuable politically to Cuba and Venezuela in prison than being freed. If this is not correct, then it surely isn't far off the mark. In addition to personifying personal sacrafice, The Miami 5 have become modern day martyrs for human rights in Cuba creating many self-serving opportunities to remind the world that the U.S. is still the same Obama or no Obama. Obama as President of the United States honors the justice system in place as opposed to Fidel who creates justice when ever he wants thus making himself appear more powerful and righteous. War is young men dying and old men taking. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
Hugo Chavez is shown on Cuban television almost every day. Directly after Fidels' illness was reported, Chavez made several visits to Cuba to film his visits for Cuban and Venezuelan television. His support financially for Cuba is well known and the two countries share many resources together. Ironically, during his tenure with Fidel Chavez managed to appoint himself as lifetime president of Venezuela, nationalizing most of his countries resources and remaining a constant on Cuban television regardless of where he was in the world. Sheritt Corporation of Canada, as with many foriegn companies, can testify how it has lost millions of dollars in Cuba simply because the Cuban government decides to change business plans at a whim. Similarily, Canadian mining company Crytallex has suffer the loss of millions of dollars after being cut out by Chavez in favor of contracts with Russia. There is a lot of commonground between Cuban and Venezuela.
Chavez's visits to Russia and China were well covered on Cuban television. With Fidel rarely in the Cuban public eye, Chavez has taken on the appearance of being a 'co-leader' in Cuba. His presence has been solidified in billboards all over Cuba with pictures often capturing him in his signature red shirt. He appears to be a more solid option than Fidel's own brother. He has been constantly allied with Fidel in the Cuban media as being the co-creator and supporter of the 'revolution'.
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Che Gueverra did not act in isolation of history. Many agents of European imperialism had been plundering South American and the Caribbean for hundreds of years.
Lest we forget the Yagan, the Javaro, the Aztecs, the Indcas and all the Myans that were destroyed by greeding foreigners in search of gold and silver. Gold and silver were used to decorate churches in Spain however for the Aztecs these metals were precious because they represented the sun and moon and a balance with nature. There are many historians who believe that many of South American tribes simply died because they had no resistance to European viral infections like chicken pox. Of course Pizarro had no problem giving the Incas chicken pox infected blankets with every intention that this would lead to mass illness for the unsuspecting South American aboriginals.
Che Gueverra was well overdue in historical terms. He simply wanted to change a pattern in history that had repeatedly led to genocide and exploitation of many nations. I my opinion, Che believed he was risking his life to end such tyranny in Cuba as well as South America. How ironic that all his efforts only fueled Catro's growing ambition to become the king of Cuba and rule with an iron hand. I am sure Che believed he was fighting for freedom and teh right to self-determination for the peoples of Cuba, the Caribbean and South America.
Political Duality: Diversity and Wholeness at the Crossroads
After Che Gueverra military had taken firm control of Cuba New Year's Eve 1958 Fidel arrived on Cuban soil to take control. I am sure he was happy to get rid of Che. By getting rid of Che, Fidel had no-one to challenge his authority and his decision to appointment himself lifetime leader and dictator of all life in Cuba. Cuban's were robbed, cheated and deceived by Fidel Caster as his true intentions to deprive the people of their God given right to self-determination and an electoral process for systematic change.
North American media loves to marginalize Fidel Catro as a 'communist' but clearly he is simply a dictator. Anywhere there are people living there is always a 'social' system and 'socialism' or 'socialismo'. Fidel Castro took advantage of Che Gueverra death by being able to immortalize Che as a true martyr of the 'revolution' and an eternal symbol for unification of all Cubans. This glittering generality presumes that Che was in fact fighting for the same thing as Fidel. Perhaps in the early stages of their relationship they were unified in one common goal however it remains to be seen that in fact Che would have supported Fidel's post-revolution politics. Perhaps Fidel sealed his control by encourage Che to leave Cuba.
Fidel is a mater of media manipulation and has managed to keep the Cuban population in the dark about many things. Many Cuban's know nothing of the world today because they are not allowed access to information. Internet is restricted to a select demographic of the population and even then it is only email. Can you imagine how disgruntled Fidel's brother Raoul became in 2008 when universities students asked for access to internet for studies. Of course in reality this is a great threat to the ideology and control of the Castro government. Can you imagine a university student that can not legally goggle any research!
Of course at this time North American was under the false impression that Fidel was deathly ill and incapable of remaining President of Cuba. Yes he was ill for a time however he simply created a more divine politcal postion while placing his well trusted brother to hold the reins. Much of the world held its breath in anticipation of some grand change but again the master chessman out played all his opponents while once again bringing himself into the international spotlight.
Typically North America has been absorbed in its own problems and day to day life. Aboriginal people's have struggled for equality under the U.S. and Canadian governments and the violent civil rights movement in the U.S. started reached its peak around the time the same time Fidel took over in Cuba. The United States has skillfully managed to keep its people in the dark about Cuba as well by banning Americans from going there. When Pierre Elliot Trudeau was Prime Minister of Can da, he developed a personal relationship with Fidel Castro that encouraged Canadians to somehow support and accept the Cuban government's stance on many things.
All the tourism dollars from the world that goes into Cuba goes right into the pocket of the government thus solidifying its power to suppress the people of Cuba. The only options for Cuban people is to somehow get out an claim refugee status in Canada or political asylum in the U.S.
In short, North Americans know very little about everyday Cuban life. The carefully crafted media propaganda by both the Canadian and U.S. governments manages to keep most North American's in the dark about Cuba. Mired in its own problems, North America can turn a blind eye to Cuba and simply see if we can out wait any problems in lieu of en evitable change.
Comparative studies of North America and Cuba are numerous and complicated but in the end, Cuban people should have the right to vote and self-determination without having to give up their family and social ties in hopes of a better future and their God given right to express themselves in all aspects of their lives. Clearly, much of the world has been evolving toward balancing individual rights and cultural diversity within wholeness.
Political Evangelist and Spin Doctor
Fidel Castro's speeches are famous for their unbridled passion. Fidel mastered the art of public speaking to such a degree, as these pictures clearly depict, his speeches characteristically were akin to a Bible thumping preacher pounding out the truths of fundamentalism. His speeches were often five to eight hours long. He was known to hold a crowd throughout especially in the early days of the revolution when there was little discontentment with his style and dedicated leadership.
Thousands of Cubans eagerly tuned out to wave their flags of patriotism and support for his passionate and well crafted lectures. From the earliest post-Che days, through the Russia alliance of the 60's and 70's, Fidel always had the United States to target and demonize. His passion for his country's future can not be questioned however many of his earliest promises never came to fruition and as well documented, ridding himself of Che Gueverra gave him no opposition the electing himself lifetime president. Over 50 years of his self-imposed dictatorship has come at a dear price. One does not have to be a politician to see the poverty and run down state of most of Cuba's buildings. Habana needs millions of gallons of paint to cover up the ongoing depreciation and lack of government spending on infrastructure. Rumor has it the Russians taught how to keep control by simply not spending money on the public infrastructure. When things are broken it is hard for resistance groups to organize.
Fidel Castro is idolized by millions of people throughout the world however beneath this veneer of approval is a cheap disguise carefully calculated to maintain his vision by simply eliminating all opposition. Public elections have not existed for over 50 years. In this time, Castro has managed to build an insurmountable army and police force to control the streets and keep everyone in line. One can only wonder what kind of father has no confidence to allow his children to grow up and become independent thinkers like himself.
In simple terms Fidel Castro has many failures to offset the good he has done for Cuba and for many people in the world, perhaps it will be a day of celebration when he passes on. Evidence of this is everywhere on the streets of Cuba but people are too afraid of Fidel Castro to dare publicly voice any opposition for fear of persecution which can simply mean jail time.
Military Police
Every country in the world has its security systems in place. Although there is a huge military presence in Cuba, by and large the police force is used for social control. As seen above, typically the police are in groups of two, three four. Larger cities where there are many tourists find large clusters of police on the streets many white patrol cars everywhere. The police are constantly stopping people to check identifications cards. If you do not have your I.D. care then punitive action will result in a visit to the police station. As mentioned before, there are strict residency regulations in place that extend to vehicles as well. Raising any suspicion can result in a lengthy visit to the police station. Petty crime exists in Cuba on a wide scale but more serious crimes like murder, firing of weapons, break and entry are extremely reduced. You can say the system is one of the best in terms of high end crimes but at the same time the oppressive nature of the police often instigates the very crime you may be charged with. The police have unprecedental power. As the highest paid people in the work force they often manage to extract money out of everyone on the street whether it be for their birthday or just because they say your car is speeding too fast. I have witnessed these precedings many times in Cuba. As a 'tourist' I simply sit in the car and have rarely been talked to in many situations. One has to calmly take the transaction in stride considering it to normal business. I was once in a car with a Cuban friend who was pulled over by police and given a fine of 12 demirit points for simply having a 'tourist' in his vehicle. Many times the police pull over unsuspecting motorists for transactions. All this proceeding are akin to being in a school of fish as a sharp passes by; you just do not know who is going to get nabbed but for sure someone is! Subsequently, all the results in social paranoia.
I have seen the police entice many people into fines and payments but they are not all bad. With all the social resentment to the police's tactics and intimidation it is not unusual to find explosive street situations when people start to drink alcohol. As often in Cuba people work every second or third day creating a lot of time to stew over problems and endure a low level of income. People simply do not want problems with police but the police want problems with the people. All these actions translate into some volitile situations when people are dinking. The anger built up inside suddenly surfaces resulting in violence and people going to jail. There is a great resentment and hate for the police in many quarters. People perceive the police being a direct arm of a hostile and oppressive government that is fully aware of how the justice system is working. If the police are corrupt, can the boss of the police be much different?
Most police stations have processing offices that include clerks who keep track off legal records on computers but the rest system is all manual in nature. This antiquated system often results in long waits for police to write out information and processing time is extremely slow in the evenings and weekends. The legal system is largely left up to an higher ranking officer who co-ordinates and interprets all the legal activity. For instance, one can be sentenced to 2 years in jail for a second offense for associating with tourists. I know of one person who spent 4 years in jail because he had been caught several times partying with tourists. Of course there is crime and in many instances the police may be protecting tourists from criminal intent or simply to protect the reputation of the tourist industry in Cuba. The police system is very thorough often including cameras from many pivotal points in beach areas, city streets and tourist areas.
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