Stuck in Castro's Slum

TRINIDAD, CUBA

Excerpts from a great interview in the Czech Position with famed Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez:

Q: What is lacking for a revolution similar to the one in Egypt taking place in Cuba?

A: In Cuba the situation is most like that in Libya rather than the other Arab countries that are undergoing unrest. Our system and country is also dependent on one charismatic and popular leader.

Q: But Raúl Castro is the complete opposite of his brother. Fidel got all of the charisma genes, leaving nothing for Raúl…

A: Of course that is why all Cubans that disagree with the regime secretly wish that "our beloved" El Commandante was not among us because Raúl would find it difficult to keep in charge. The older generation, despite not being satisfied with the regime, still respect Fidel for what he did when he took over. That is why they don't want to topple him, so as not to disappoint him. I'll give an example: Grandpa paid for our education; although he is now unintelligible and conservative, he is still our grandpa.

Q: A lot of people abroad feel that Cuba has probably the best possible system within Latin America and that its fall would lower the standard of living to that of Honduras or Ecuador.

A: I am sure that almost every Cuban would prefer to be at liberty to decide how to earn money, even if it was less, than to carry on living as a thrall to Castro's nobility.

Q: Isn't it better to be poor in Cuba than live in the favelas [slums] that are so ubiquitous in Latin America?

A: No, because there is always a chance of getting out of a slum. We don't have that. The former Brazilian president, Lula, came from the slums. So did several other South American leaders. Here it is more like a monarchy: Either you're part of Castro's family and their loyal lackeys or you don't have a chance. Moreover, Lula managed in just two terms to get 30 million people out of poverty. In 50 years, Castro's family hasn't managed to get the 11 million Cubans out of poverty at all. All he's managed to do is get rich while the rest of us flounder in destitution.