Posted on 11/26/2016 2:19:36 PM PST by heterosupremacist
HAVANA (AP) -- Music fell silent, weddings were canceled and people wept in the streets Saturday as Cubans faced their first day without the leader who steered their island to both greater social equality and years of economic ruin.
Across a hushed capital, dozens of Cubans said they felt genuine pain at the death of Fidel Castro, whose words and image had filled schoolbooks, airwaves and front pages since before many were born.
Both brothers led bands of bearded rebels out of the eastern Sierra Maestra mountains to create a communist government 90 miles from the United States. But since taking over from his ailing brother in 2006, the 85-year-old Raul Castro has allowed an explosion of private enterprise and, last year, restored diplomatic relations with Washington.
On Saturday, many Cubans on the island described Fidel Castro as a towering figure who brought Cuba free health care, education and true independence from the United States, while saddling the country with an ossified political and economic system that has left streets and buildings crumbling and young, educated elites fleeing in search of greater prosperity abroad.
"Fidel was a father for everyone in my generation," said Jorge Luis Hernandez, a 45-year-old electrician. "I hope that we keep moving forward because we are truly a great, strong, intelligent people. There are a lot of transformations, a lot of changes, but I think that the revolution will keep on in the same way and always keep moving forward."
In 2013, Raul Castro announced that he would step aside by the time his current presidential term ends in 2018, and for the first time named an heir-apparent not from the Castro's revolutionary generation - Miguel Diaz-Canel, 56.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
True - any attempt to persuade could be considered propaganda, and that’s not necessarily bad in itself. It becomes very problematic when opposing voices are not allowed the opportunity to argue for their point of view.
Freedom of speech.
While stationed in Havana (1993-1997), I was able to order Gatorade by the case. I gave the empties to a young entrepreneur who sold them to young mothers for about a nickel a pop. I would often see these young ladies passing my house with their monthly rations. I have no idea of how many aspirin or vitamin capsules they were allowed but for four years they were constantly stopping me and asking for these OTC meds.
Associated Press complete BS.
Yes, now they can hope for a better life — one of freedom and prosperity.
That’s kind of how I see it too.
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