In Honor of Anniversary Of The July 26th
Movement
From The Pen Of Frank Jackman (2015)
Every leftist, hell, everybody
who stands on the democratic principle that each nation has the right to self-determination
should cautiously rejoice at the “defrosting” of the long-time diplomatic
relations between the American imperial behemoth and the island of Cuba (and
the freedom of the remaining Cuban Five in the bargain). Every leftist militant
should understand that each non-capitalist like Cuba going back to the establishment
of the now defunct Soviet Union has had the right (maybe until we win our socialist
future the duty) to make whatever advantageous agreements they can with the
capitalist world. That despite whatever disagreements we have with the political
regimes ruling those non-capitalist states. That is a question for us to work
out not the imperialists.
For those who have
defended the Cuban Revolution since its victory in 1959 under whatever political
rationale (pro-socialist, right to self-determination, or some other hands off
policy) watching on black and white television the rebels entering Havana this
day which commemorates the heroic if unsuccessful efforts at Moncada we should
affirm our continued defense of the Cuban revolution. Oh yes, and tell the American
government to give back Guantanamo while we are at it.
Commentary
Defend the Cuban Revolution. End the Embargoes.
One cannot deny that the American bourgeoisie has had a long memory in regard to the defeat of their agent in Cuba, Batista, by the upstart Castro guerilla army and thereafter by the longevity of his regime. Some things, like democratic rights, they forget in flash if it suits their purposes but taking a beating from their ‘inferiors’ rankles like hell. The capitalists, at least sections of them, aided by the ‘gusano’ exiles in Miami and elsewhere who refuse to move on, salivate at the prospect of bringing that little ‘off shore luxury resort’ back within the grasp of their dirty little imperialist hands. And they believe that time is on their side as the aging, ailing Castro gets set to meet his maker. The periodic ‘dancing in the streets’ at any news (or no news)on Castro’s health in Miami bears witness to that idea. They can hardly wait to ‘liberate’ Cuba.
No one over the last period has been more in a frenzy over that possibility that the current American president. Time after time, in the face of strong international pressure to the contrary, he has tightened the screws on Cuba whenever possible, extending the embargoes and cutting communications between Cubans here and there. But not to worry. Although Bush will not lift a finger to deal with Cuba now (including refusal of vital Cuban medical aid during the Hurricane Katrina crisis) he has a ‘plan’ for the post-Castro period. In a recent pronouncement before the State Department Bush called for setting up a ‘‘freedom fund” to aid in the restoration of capitalist rule in Cuba after Fidel’s demise. We know from Poland, the Soviet Union and elsewhere what such ‘freedom funds’ are used for-counter revolution. It is hard to say at this point what the post-Castro future looks like, although in the short haul it appears that brother Raul has held his own since taking over, but rest assured we will fight those who offer the 'freedom funds' tooth and nail to save the gains of the Cuban Revolution. And I might add that the Cuban people might just have a little to say about the issue. They are not likely to warmly greet their ‘liberators’ any more than the people of Iraq did when America came calling- Remember the Bay of Pigs. Hands Off Cuba! Defend the Cuban Revolution! End the Embargoes!
