Goodbye, Fidel
Today is a big day in American history: Fidel Castro is stepping down.
I’m sure our government will continue to try to teach people that we should be scared of Cuba, or that the Cuban government is worse at taking care of its people that the US government is, or more corrupt, or less competent, or whatever. History will answer those questions on its own, thank you very much.
But this is the beginning of the end of an era. Raul isn’t going to outlast 10 US presidents like his big brother did, you can bet on it. So go visit Cuba while it’s still real. The clock’s ticking faster now.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 12:03 pm. You can subscribe to comments on this post through its RSS feed.
on February 19, 2008 at 4:04 pm Thomas wrote:
You think Cuba will get libre?
on February 19, 2008 at 5:19 pm Doug wrote:
I’m not sure about that, Thomas. But I don’t think normalization of US relations with Cuba requires that they convert to a democracy. That’s not what our leaders are saying, of course. But we have trade relations with many countries that don’t have free elections, and I’ve thought for a long time that US policy toward Cuba has been more about “not backing down to Fidel” than any other factor. If that’s true, then things may loosen up after he’s no longer an issue.
I’m more worried about the negatives of Cuba becoming a closer US trade partner than I am hopeful about the positives of a theoretical democratic transition. Cuba’s a relatively poor country, and that will still be true regardless of whether they have elections. But Havana with Starbucks, 7-11 and McDonalds doesn’t sound like Havana to me.
And I hope the US government will repeal the $7000 fine for Americans who travel to Cuba. It’s not fair that you Europeans can go there on vacation and we can’t!
on February 20, 2008 at 3:28 pm Scott B wrote:
I think you hit the nail on the head. Our relations with cuba the last 40 years has been a direct relation to the chip on our goverments shoulder with Castro. I think, if they offer a olive branch the US, We are going to take it. Once the dust has cleared from his step down of course. I think the change in leadership will give us a way to make that policy change, and save face (to who i have no idea).
It’s not going to be over night. You watch some of the coverage from little havana in Florida, and you can see everyones reservation of a quick turn over to the situation.
But, it is an interesting page in history to watch turn for sure.
on February 21, 2008 at 11:35 am Doug wrote:
Yes it is. And I’m getting really tired of articles like the one I read in the Wall Street Journal yesterday that describe Fidel as “financially incompetent” because Cuba is really broke compared to what it was like in the 50s. Gee, the world’s biggest importer/exporter all those years has been just 50 miles away but doesn’t do any business with Cuba, and has pressured many other countries to not do business with them, too. Come on, America, credit where credit’s due: WE made them good and broke. I’m not saying Fidel’s a genius, or even that he’s not incompetent, but this is like beating up your next-door neighbor for years and then whining about how downtrodden he looks.
on February 21, 2008 at 2:28 pm Thomas wrote:
I didn’t know that about the visit fine for US citizens. Maybe we should pack our things and book a flight ASAP before all the Americans invade Cuba…
Well, besides North Korea Cuba is one of the last poles of Communism in the world. North Korea is slowly opening as a result of mismanagement and greed of the ruling class. Let’s hope Cuba is following the road of Vietnam and living conditions for the citizens improve (slowly). But the side effects like McD or Baskin&Robbins in Havana won’t be evitable as they weren’t in Saigon. I did NOT really enjoy the B&R ice in Saigon at a price tag like in Boston.
I can’t rate Raul as we didn’t hear much about him here in Germany so I don’t know what to expect. Perhaps he will open up his country for tourism like DomRep - the nature beauties it has! That’s not to say I endorse mass tourism, you know that…