TROUBL

Cuba is a leader in anti-American sentiment and therefore it is the ultimate rebellious country in my mind. It’s the taboo place for all Americans…only to be travelled to under the upmost confidentiality. For almost 50 years its notorious leader Fidel Castro has lead the country in a socialist fashion and has steered clear of aligning itself with the US under any circumstances.

I have mixed sentiments about Fidel. On the one hand, I love him for being so rebellious against the US, for calling our current president “the devil”, withstanding an embargo, helping other nations (i.e. Nicaragua) free itself from dictatorship and still implementing universal health care in his country. On the other hand, I dislike that his people have very little influence in the political system and that the poverty/ famine rates are astounding and I’ve heard read that he is very chauvinistic. But then again what country doesn’t have its own set of issues? Everyone knows that the US is the king of problems most of which we cause.

Some call Fidel Castro a tyrant and believe that his brother, Raul Castro, will not be any different but there is a large pessimistic cloud on Raul’s capabilities to fill his brother’s shoes. I personally, was not rooting for his brother…I wanted Jose Ramon Machado to replace Fidel because he is younger and was with Fidel through many of the pivotal struggles that Cuba has endured. I feel as though Raul won the election because of his relation to the former president rather than his qualifications.

Although Cuba has its problems, I would hate to see a legacy vanish because of the new leadership. I just hope that the country can make progress in the areas that are inefficient but maintain the principles that distinguish them from the rest of the world.