Jeff Jacoby: A wave of repression in Cuba

Boston Globe ^ | April 10, 2003 | jeff jacoby

[Cincinatus' Wife]

ONE OF THE FIRST people I met during a week's stay in Havana last year was the economist Oscar Espinosa Chepe, a once-ardent communist who had turned against Fidel Castro's dictatorial system. For daring to criticize Cuba's disastrous policies, Chepe and his wife Miriam had been severely punished. He lost his prestigious position in the foreign service; she was told to choose between her job in the Foreign Ministry and her marriage. ''You want me to divorce my husband?'' she had asked in disbelief. ''Well, it's up to you,'' came the reply. As we sat in their tiny apartment in Havana's Playa district last March, the two dissidents told me how they had been forced to sell many of their possessions -- the car, the stamp collection, even some of their clothes -- in order to keep body and soul together. Barred from normal employment, Chepe managed to cobble together an income from odd jobs teaching and writing about Cuba's dysfunctional economy.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It seems Castro exported human capital to other oppressive regimes as a source of income.

Thank you for the personal story. Yes, the people of Cuba are no less than slaves. Casto barters them around the world.

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt

[Feiny]

But, we have been told that Cuba is good because they have an almost 100% literacy rate. {end sarcasm}

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Isn't much good if you can't use it, is it?

[walrus954]

I agree that he's and idiot, but I have to disagree that all Cubans would go back when Castro goes. My grandmother and her family left in 1960, and, while they love Cuba, they are all American citizens now and love this country.

[walrus954]

I agree that he's and idiot, but I have to disagree that all Cubans would go back when Castro goes. My grandmother and her family left in 1960, and, while they love Cuba, they are all American citizens now and love this country.

[Beck_isright]

Well, alot of folks would (including myself even though I'm not Cuban) as this will be a business opportunity unseen since Disney started buying land in the Orlando area. Think about it. It will become the jewel of the Carribbean overnight.

[walrus954]

Good point

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Apparently, you're wrong.

[wiseone]

The way to weaken communism,is through trade,as done to USSR, E Europe,Vietnam,now china .

end the embargo!

Miami Cubans control the Bush admin,and tip the balance for his election.

I am pro american,pro Bush!!!!!!!,but I know many cubans,and south Americans and their distrust and resentment to the “ugly American” CIA ,etc history in south America