Fidel Castro

[Daisy]

This news item got overlooked yesterday - I can't imagine what Admin was doing all day!!

Fidel Castro's death was announced late on Friday, 25 November. He was 90.

[Oma]

I haven't seen the news since Wednesday so hadn't heard about this , going to catch up on BBC news page

[Plantaholic]

Mixed reaction in Cuba from the population to this news

[Daisy]

Plant - I can see why. He was loved, revered and feared. We were there the year he handed over power to Raoul and many people were fearful for the future without him.

[Elisi]

IMHO is was a monster. Nuff said really.

[Daisy]

There are an awful lot of people in Cuba who would disagree with you, Elisi.

[Nanto2girls]

Yes, i heard about his death while we were away.

[Elisi]

Well, Daisy, there are, similarly an awful lot of Cubans who escaped Cuba who would agree with me I think anyone who keeps an all female armed guard wearing short skirts is either lucky or mad!! Actually I would call him despotic.

There is monumental evidence he tortured, executed, and penalised his own people in order to seize power and then keep it. Mostly innocent people died. His country lived on the edge of penury, except of course, as is the wont of all dictators, himself and his family, who lived the high life!

My thoughts are that he was as awful as Pol Pot, Stalin and Mao. I bet my bottom dollar there's an uprising there soon!

[Daisy]

Elisi - that is the way large parts of the world see him - and I'm in no way denying the truth about the points you make. there is no denying you break the law in Cuba at your peril. However, most of the Cuban people you talk to in Cuba itself are incredibly patriotic and credit Castro with saving their country from the corruption that was rife. They know they are poor (compared to the developed western world) but are proud of their excellent education system and health care. Most of importantly of all - they are happy. They have the gift of living in the present, they're warm and hospitable and despite their very mixed ethnic heritage (or maybe because of it!) they live in harmony with each other. They live within their means, working and saving for what they want. I don't think they would recognise your parallels with Pol Pot, Stalin and Mao, even though they lobby for justice for those who they consider have been denied it.

When Fidel relinquished power to Raoul a few years ago, they were worried that things might change in ways that they didn't like, as Raoul (Fidel's younger brother) was seen as being less strong. I think handing over power at that stage has given the country time to remain stable, and to move forward cautiously. Obama lifting some of the sanctions was met with mixed reactions. They didn't want to a return to the bad old days when the country was essentially run by gangsters. They see their country as a republic, not a communist state.

One of the most touching things I've seen in Cuba is the Princess Diana Memorial Garden in Havana. It's in a square (rather like the squares in parts of London), quite modest in size, but beautifully kept with flowers that are as close as they can get to gentle English countryside. It's a place for quiet contemplation and is a great source of pride.

[Elisi]

I take your points Daisy. I'd forgotten you have visited Cuba. XXX

[Plantaholic]

Very interesting points of view.