What fate awaits Cubans if Cuba and the U.S. normalize relations? By Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo* Pittsburg Post Gazette July 8, 2014
Cuban Ambassador Jose Cabanas is looking for trade opportunities in the United States (“Cuban Diplomat Promotes Trade Opportunities,” July 2). The Cold War language is over. No need to wear uniforms any longer, but expensively correct suits. Ideology has committed suicide 25 years too late — that’s the image from outside the island.
A revolution turned into reform, without the uncomfortable concept of “democracy.” Dictatocracy replaces dictatorship.
By direct blood lineage, general Raul Castro, brother of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro — both in their 80s — conducts this transition to thawcialism while securing stability in the United States’ violent backyard: Latin America and its autocratic regimes. The winning card is barely hidden: Uncontrolled mass migration into the U.S. will occur unless prevented by a flow of capital into our victimized nations.
Many U.S. representatives, politicians and academics hope to pave the way for more contacts with Cuba. U.S. companies look for opportunities everywhere, every time. Legal or not, this cannot be more legitimate. But will this guarantee free trade and markets and competition and civil society? Or will this foster a state capitalism in which post-communist caudillos will perpetuate their monopoly, and Cubans will still be second-class citizens?
“There’s the danger of lost opportunity” indeed, as Mr. Cabanas promoted for profits in Pittsburgh last week.
We Cubans, whether subject to the military in the island or exiled for eternity, are in danger of losing the opportunity of reestablishing the rule of law in our country. American money could end up being complicit of the Castroism without Castros that is to come.
*ORLANDO LUIS PARDO LAZO Arlington, Va. The writer is a Cuban blogger, photographer and activist from Havana.
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