Cuba libre? If we\u2019re talking about Bacardi and Coke, it\u2019s been pouring freely in Miami since the announcement of Fidel Castro\u2019s death late in the evening of Nov. 25. If we\u2019re talking about freedom for Cuba, however, that is still a dream of hope because Cuba is still firmly in the grip of yet another Castro dictator, his brother Raul.<\/p>\n
But Bacardi and Coke is not pouring freely in Havana. Cuba has been under a state imposed nine-day mourning period. Cuban citizens have been told not to listen to music and to stay indoors. Alcohol is not served anywhere and people have been coerced into signing up to attend Fidel\u2019s memorial ceremonies. <\/p>\n
Cuban police arrested dissident artist Danilo \u201cEl Sexto\u201d Maldonado after he made a video celebrating the death of Fidel Castro and asking people to \u201ccome out to the streets … and ask for liberty.\u201d It doesn\u2019t appear Cuba is on a fast track to freedom yet.<\/p>\n
So why all the euphoria in Miami? Because the tyrant is finally dead. I wish my father, my grandparents and many other hard working, decent Cubans had been alive to witness the end of the man who caused them so much suffering and pain. The cost of his tyranny on the Cuban people can\u2019t be measured, but we can be certain there isn\u2019t a single freedom enjoyed by democratic and civilized countries around the world that Fidel Castro did not violate. His death is symbolic, and feels as if a curse has been lifted.<\/p>\n
Violence and human-rights abuses were abundant from the start of Castro\u2019s revolution. First were the executions, without trials, of people who were part of the Batista government that Castro overthrew. Later on his violence turned on counter-revolutionaries, many of whom had fought at Castro\u2019s side to overthrow Batista, who had become disillusioned when faced with the reality that Castro\u2019s revolution had very little to do with ending dictatorship. <\/p>\n
Castro\u2019s firing squads executed more than 18,000 Cubans in the first few years of the revolution. Many others were brutally tortured and sent to prisons indefinitely. Many others died trying to flee the island. Families were torn apart, properties were confiscated and oppression took root.<\/p>\n
The terror unleashed by Castro\u2019s brutality laid the groundwork for the regime\u2019s machinery of repression. Unconditional obedience was achieved through fear. People who disagreed with Castro\u2019s doctrine were sent to labor camps for \u201creeducation.\u201d <\/p>\n
In one of the most incredible feats of our time, Castro successfully painted himself as the champion of the oppressed around the world, while simultaneously trampling on the rights of oppressed Cubans. Incredibly, his apologists and admirers around the world have chosen to ignore his abuses and somehow justify his deeds. <\/p>\n
To praise Fidel Castro\u2019s deeds is not only extremely misinformed, but is incredibly offensive. For those considering buying t-shirts with Fidel\u2019s image, ask yourself if you\u2019d also be okay wearing images of Hitler or Stalin. Eulogizing Fidel Castro is exactly on the same level as eulogizing Hitler or Stalin. <\/p>\n
Fidel Castro has died without being brought to justice for his crimes against his people and his ashes will be buried near Cuban Patriot Jose Mart\u00ed\u2019s resting place in Santiago de Cuba, an honor Castro does not deserve. This is, however, a moment to celebrate a future for Cuba without the shadow of Fidel Castro, and the prospect that Cubans may someday again enjoy the same freedom we do. <\/p>\n
Maybe, now that the tyrant is dead and with new leadership in our country, we can progress toward balanced normalization between the United States and Cuba for the sake of all Cubans.<\/p>\n
Cuba libre? Yes, please.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Uchytil is a Cuban-born Juneau resident.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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