Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 29, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists
The world’s foremost revolutionary, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz died last Friday, November 25, 2016, at the age of 90. As Cubans began their nine day mourning period for their leader, and as world leaders continued to pay tribute to one of the towering figures of the 20th century, many Cuban exiles in Miami took to the streets and waved flags in the rain to celebrate his death.
Many banged pots and pans and called him a tyrant. They claimed that his death should have come much sooner so that the people of Cuba could be free. Castro’s prolonged hold on power stemmed from his genuine commitment to make Cuba the most respected and dignified state in the hemisphere.
Following the successful overthrow of Cuba’s President Fulgencio Batista in 1959 by Castro, Che Guevara and the 26th of July Movement, Castro assumed power as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008 before he ceded power to his brother Raul. Under Castro’s leadership, Cuba adopted a Marxist-Leninist model of development and became a one-party state under communist rule; the first in the Western Hemisphere.
Castro’s leftist and anti-imperialist politics angered several US administrations which attempted to remove him from office by assassination, economic blockade and the Bay of Pigs failed invasion of 1961.
The Bay of Pigs not only made Castro a hero in the national liberation struggle and the Father of the revolution, but it also embarrassed the US. Castro countered these threats by forming an alliance with the Soviet Union. This union protected Cuba from any US invasion and sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 which became a defining incident of the Cold War and world history.
In death just as in life, Fidel Castro was loved and hated in equal measure. As the leader of the most successful socialist revolution in the hemisphere, he survived the longest economic blockade in history. He also built a communist state just 90 miles off the United States.
Despite the massive pressure put on him by the US, Castro held his ground and transformed Cuba into an independent self-sufficient state. He inspired many leaders around the world, including our own Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham. His friendship with Guyana has resulted in hundreds of scholarships to Guyanese students to pursue studies in medicine, engineering and other technical areas.
Castro convinced his fellow citizens that no sacrifice is too great to make in defending the rights and dignity of all Cubans. As reported numerous times in the media, he not only survived several assassination attempts by the CIA, but he had to contend with many clandestine opposition groups from within the country. These overt and covert operations served to strengthen his resolve and intensify his efforts to improve the social welfare of Cubans.
Today, Cubans enjoy one of the best universal healthcare systems in the world with the highest life expectancy rates. With regard to education, Cubans are among the most literate people in the world, and in terms of sports, the country has some of the best athletes, especially in boxing.
For the most part, Fidel Castro was a beacon of hope for oppressed peoples around the world, especially in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. His role in national liberation struggles in several countries of the world was a testimony to his unwavering support and unflinching solidarity with the poor and the oppressed. He identified with and supported the struggle against apartheid, and inspired Cubans to join in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
Cuba also intervened militarily in Angola in support of the leftist People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola against the other liberation movements backed by US forces.
Castro’s humanistic personality and compassion was seemingly counterbalanced by an evil, oppressive side. Many knew him as a ruthless dictator who murdered and imprisoned his opponents. He is now dead; but his legacy lives on. History will be the judge, but it’s safe to say, long live Cuba!
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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