by Rafael Martínez Alequín
Many people in this country are salivating for the demise of President Fidel Castro. Death is the only thing we mortals have in common. We must now look with an objective eye at the history of the United States toward the Latin-American countries beginning in 1823. Then, President James Monroe and his secretary of state, John Quincy Adams, unilaterally imposed what is known today as the Monroe Doctrine. With this doctrine, the United States informed the European powers that the American continent was no longer open to European colonization. This was the start of a history of betrayal and exploitation of the Latin-American countries by the United States.
On April 25, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain. The United States, under questionable circumstances, used as a pretext the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana to invade Cuba. The United States at that time stated, that they sent troops to Cuba “for humanitarian reasons.” Simultaneously, they imposed the Platt Amendment on the Cuban people.
The Platt Amendment was a rider appended to the Army Appropriations Act. It was a United States federal law passed on March 2, 1901 that stipulated the conditions for the withdrawal of United States troops remaining in Cuba since the Spanish-American War. It defined the terms of Cuban-U.S. relations until 1934. Formulated by the U.S. Secretary of War Elihu Root, the amendment was presented to the Senate by, and named for, Connecticut Republican Senator Orville H. Platt.
The amendment granted the United States the naval base in Cuba (Guantánamo Bay). It stipulated that Cuba would not transfer Cuban land to any power other than the United States. It mandated that Cuba would contract no foreign debt without guarantees. It further states that the interest could be served from ordinary revenues, ensured U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs when the United States deemed necessary, prohibited Cuba from negotiating treaties with any country other than the United States “which will impair or tend to impair the independence of Cuba” or “permit any foreign power or powers to obtain or control over any portion” of Cuba, and provided for a formal treaty detailing all the foregoing provisions. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Good Neighbor Policy” toward Latin -American repealed the amendment in 1934.
The shameful history of the United States didn’t began in Cuba in 1959. That was the year President Fidel Castro defeated dictator Fulgencio Batista. He was a puppet of the United States during the administration of President Dwight Eisenhower and his secretary of state Dean Acheson.
Today, in Latin America, Fidel Castro has been an inspiration to the oppressed people of the 21 Latin republics. One has to be closed minded not to see the winds of change in the continent. The shameful, news coming from Miami, that the city is planning an official celebration at the Orange Bowl when President Castro dies, is an abomination.
Ramon Saul Sanchez, leader of the Miami-based Democracy Movement organization, worries about how a party to celebrate a man’s death would be perceived by people outside the Cuban exile community.
Sanchez also pointed out that, even after Castro dies, his communist government still will be in place.
“The notion of a big party, I think, should be removed from all this,” Sanchez said. “Although everybody will be very happy that the dictator cannot continue to oppress us himself, I think everybody is still very sad because there are still prisons full of prisoners, many people executed, and families divided.”
Castro's legacy will live forever in the minds and hearts not only in the Spanish-speaking world but also among decent Americans. When he departs this world, his mantel will continue with world leaders such as President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and the newly elected presidents of Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador.
When the United States views it’s Latin neighbors with respect, then we may finally have a good neighbor policy. This is the fable of the shark and the sardines. One of the sardines (Cuba) in 1959 defeated the shark (United States). Ever since,The United States have been traumatize.
It's a pretty grotesque thing no matter how you look at it to celebrate the death of a historical figure. Hitler and others like him is the only people that deserve that wrath. I do not agree with Castro in his entirety, but the message he sent the United States is sold. He let the American Government know that the Caribbean and Latin America cannot be bought. He made it clear that an island can sustain itself culturally and politically. This is a huge feat. So I agree that he has murdered artists, gays, and people that have spoken against him- never! Melissa G, Prospect Park
ReplyDeleteThis one has my correct text.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty grotesque thing no matter how you look at it to celebrate the death of a historical figure. Hitler and others like him are the only people that deserve that wrath. I do not agree with Castro in his entirety, but the message he sent the United States is solid. He let the American Government know that the Caribbean and Latin America cannot be bought. He made it clear that an island can sustain itself culturally and politically. This is a huge feat. Do I agree that he has murdered artists, gays, and people that have spoken against him?- never! Melissa G, Prospect Park
What was America in 1492 but a Loose-Fish what was all of Latin America, to the United States but a Loose-Fish? What are the Rights of Man and the Liberties of the World but Loose-Fish? What are all Men's minds and opinions and what are you reader, but a Loose-Fish?
ReplyDeletewhat is evil? it is that part of every person that wants to hate without reservation, that WANTS to hate with god and justice on his or her side
ReplyDelete