Three Friends / Fernando Dámaso

Talking with two friends from my generation, our conversation drifted to the conditions of establishment of socialism in Cuba. We agree that, in the fifties, most weren’t interested in socialism, much less its establishment. The general desire was the restoration of democratic order and the departure from power of General Fulgencio Batista. There was no economic or social crisis, but only one of a political character. None of the revolutionary organizations, not even the Communists dared to plan openly of socialism as an option.

With the insurrectionist triumph, after the first few humanist months, the socialist idea was subtly introduced and in 1961, taking advantage of the situation of the Bay of Pigs and patriotic swelling of the time, it was imposed, without subjecting it to public approval or anything of the kind, as there weren’t the top guns of the militia called the act of 12th and 23rd streets, which as you can imagine, did not represent the entire Cuban nation.

Everything was done, planned and opportune, from power, responding to their interests, at a time when we had been deprived of a free press, rights of opinion, political parties and even the electoral process.

Today, we also agree, the situation is different: there is a profound national crisis, where citizens do not want to continue as they are and can not offer real solutions, trying to maintain at all costs a failed model, with some tweaks. This we are given, objectively, a situation for change. It can be delayed  with repressive measures but not avoided.

Unlike before, this situation has not been induced by anyone internally or externally, but responds to the continued deterioration of the system imposed and its inability to regenerate, in keeping with the times. It is a natural way of resolving contradictions, that can have a peaceful or violent outcome, depending on the attitude assumed by the power establishment.

April 23 2011