The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, launched an attack this Wednesday against what he described as "persistent myths" surrounding Fidel Castro and the reality of Cuba, coinciding with the 99th anniversary of the dictator's birth.
In a message posted on the social network X, Landau noted that “anyone under the age of 67, including myself, has never known a single day when Cuba was not under the dictatorial government of its Communist Party.”
Despite this, he lamented that there are still those who maintain that "the communist leaders of Cuba are the good ones" and that "the Cuban people are happy with this arrangement."
"Anyone who believes these myths at this point is deliberately deluding themselves," stated the diplomat.
On the 99th anniversary of Castro's birth, Landau added that if Cuba were truly “a socialist paradise,” the regime would not be “terrified of its own people” and would dare to call for elections with independent candidates.
With this statement, the senior U.S. official not only questioned the official narrative surrounding the figure of Castro, but also reiterated Washington's demands for free and plural elections to be held on the island.
In his message, Landau debunks four myths that, according to him, the Cuban regime has cultivated for decades.
The first is the idea that the communist dictatorship has raised the standard of living for Cubans, particularly in education and health. In his view, after more than sixty years of single-party rule, the quality of life on the island is "abject" and continues to deteriorate.
The second myth is that "the leaders of the dictatorship are progressive liberators." Landau describes them as "ruthless thugs" who did everything possible to consolidate absolute and perpetual power, even going so far as to provide refuge to fugitives from U.S. justice.
The third asserts that "the regime's leaders prioritize the well-being of the people above their own." The diplomat states that, as in any dictatorship, the elites—especially the Castro family and the military and intelligence leadership—enjoy privileges, while the majority of the population lives in scarcity.
Finally, Landau refutes the myth that "if any of the above does not hold true, it is solely the fault of the U.S. blockade."
It claims that "there is no such blockade" and asserts that Cuba is free to trade with other countries and, in fact, receives external resources, such as oil from Venezuela and remittances sent from abroad.
In closing his message, he asserted that "ideological fans" will continue to defend these ideas, "as if they believed in unicorns," but that any impartial person should recognize that "Cuba has been hijacked by a gang of thugs who use empty revolutionary rhetoric to justify their reactionary and repressive hold on power."
The undersecretary expressed his desire to "step foot in a free and prosperous Cuba" and said he is convinced he will see this become a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Critique of the Myths Surrounding Fidel Castro and the Situation in Cuba
What are the myths about Fidel Castro that the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State criticizes?
The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, criticizes several myths about Fidel Castro, including that the communist dictatorship has improved the standard of living for Cubans in areas such as education and health, that communist leaders are progressive liberators, and that they prioritize the welfare of the people. Landau also refutes the notion that the U.S. "blockade" is the sole culprit of Cuba's problems, stating that the quality of life in Cuba is abject and continues to deteriorate.
Why does the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State believe that those who believe in these myths are "deliberately delusional"?
Landau asserts that anyone who believes in these myths at this point is "deliberately deluding themselves" because after more than six decades of a one-party government in Cuba, the overwhelming reality is that the quality of life remains low and repression is constant. In his view, the leaders of the regime use empty revolutionary rhetoric to justify a reactionary and repressive control of power.
What does the U.S. government demand regarding the elections in Cuba?
The U.S. government demands the holding of free and plural elections in Cuba, with independent candidates from the Communist Party. Landau suggests that if the Cuban regime were not afraid of its people, it would allow elections with candidates who do not belong to the ruling party.
How does Castroist propaganda manifest itself today in Cuba?
Castrist propaganda in Cuba is evident through publications aimed at promoting the idea that Fidel Castro continues to live on in the country's ideology. The regime has intensified political-ideological efforts through posters, songs, political events, and activities focused on glorifying Castro, especially on the occasion of his 99th anniversary. This takes place in a context of economic and social crisis, where blackouts, inflation, and shortages are common.
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