A Parallel

Havana, Cuba, January, 1959 - Washington, D.C., January, 2009. Fifty years have elapsed, but last Tuesday brought me back to that time in January, 1959 when Fidel stood in front of the adoring, cheering crowds and made promises of true democracy, adherence to the Constitution, and prompt elections. His words were full of inspiration, as when he said: ".... The people of Cuba are wholly united today as never before in defense of their rights, above partisan considerations, because here the parties are finished, here only the fatherland counts..." And the people chanted: Fidel! Fidel! Fidel!... And it is true. That first week he had everyone with him. Everyone was ready to give all their support to this new leader that was offering a bright future. But he betrayed the Cuban people. He took advantage of their faith and commitment, their cooperation, their trust and gradually changed everything. The Cuban people wanted a law-abiding government that would respect the people and the Constitution. The change they got was not what they fought for.

The regime gradually became the communist regime that it always had intended to be and gradually appropriated all the means of production. Private businesses ended up managed by government bureaucrats, who not only worked for a salary and did not care, but who did not know how to run the businesses they were managing. Eventually Cuban businesses, crops, industries were destroyed. From having one of the highest ranks in social and economic indicators in Latin America in 1959 (Cuba's Builders of Wealth Prior to 1959 ) Cuba today has lost most of its agricultural production, and public and industrial infrastructure. For years the Cuban people have been under food rationing and living in the worst of conditions. That is what the Castro regime has to show for their years of communist bureaucracy.

Many Cubans left for other countries, mainly the U.S. Today they see another leader, full of promises, who speaks of change. Let us learn from History and be very watchful of those who promise change but who do not explain what the change is about. Let's not wake up one day and say: How did I miss what was happening!? Then, it may be too late and where can we go? There may be no place else and, sadly, we will have just ourselves to blame.