Pre-emptive Strikes

As Fidel has handed over the reins of authority to his longstanding comrade, Raúl, the bowels of American Foreign Policy grumbled at the prospect of a healthy feast in the waiting. The first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Fidel Castro, is aged, physically weakened and the world is trembling at the thought of possibly the most arrogant move by its goliath neighbour, to invade and take hostage the essence of its most feared capital: Havana.

And so the world is glued to their television sets and newspapers, watching, reading and waiting, quite like what they are doing now with the devastating war crippling the Middle East, sides being taken owing to the investment and oil revenue potential of the countries involved. I wonder, would it be the same reaction when they invade Cuba? Will Caricom sit aside and watch their sister be plundered, raped, desecrated all in the name of puerile vengeance? Will South America allow the invaders to humiliate their Cuban siblings in to democracy, in to a life of subservience? Will Cuba become another Haiti?

You may ask yourselves, who are we to oppose the might of the USA? Aren’t WE the oil, natural gas and methanol producers, aren’t WE the providers of sugar and cocoa, of holidays internationally revered? WE should place and embargo on them! We should take the helm NOW and let it be known to the rest of the world that the Caribbean stands as a united force, that we will not accept an invasion or allow the threatening of our neighbour, Cuba, the smallest country to stand up and WIN the fight against American capitalism, to truly deserve their sovereign rights, to lead a country the way that suited them best, for if not, the last 55 years would not have played out the way it did.

Cuba has enlightened the Caribbean, moreover, the rest of the world, from Russia to Africa, the United Kingdom and yes, even stubborn USA, with their talented doctors, nurses and sportsmen, their cultural influences, cigars and son, their political prowess. Fidel has proven that democratic capitalism is not the only system that is sustainable, and he has done so for a relentless 55 years. An article recently posted on a leading UK media website talked about the 638 attempts by the CIA on the commandante’s life, so much so, that a documentary on these pathetic follies will be aired on the BBC soon.

As a united front, we will sustain autonomy, some amongst our democracy cradling the American institutions and way of life as if KFC can ever replace Royal Castle, as if Burger King burgers can ever come close to a doubles with “slight pepper”. All that we have is our Caribbean spirit, our unique blend of cultures, races, languages, traditions, an evolutionary melting pot of beauty spread across on the one archipelago the world admires. We are the Caribbean, we have a voice and we must curtail the infringement of our way of life, the beliefs we have come to respect and stand up to the oppressors, defend our neighbours and allies as they defend theirs.