Fidel Castro’s Response To Barack Obama’s Olive Branch

Not everyone was charmed by U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Cuba in March 2016, least of all former Cuban President Fidel Castro. In an open letter published by the newspaper, Granma, and entitled “Brother Obama,” Castro instructed the president on Cuban history, the history of imperialism vis-a-vis Cuba. He noted the invasion by counter-revolutionaries at the Bay of Pigs, touched on South Africa and Angola and finished with the passages printed here below. He quotes Obama’s offer of friendship and calls them “the most sweetened words” and affirms that the history of enmity can not be forgotten, that Cuba will not give up its historic revolutionary gains and that Cuba can go it alone in terms of producing food and material riches.

The bottom line is that for many reasons President Fidel Castro believes that Cuba should reject the olive branch and hand of friendship extended by President Barack during his Cuba visit.

From April 16–19, the Cuban Communist Party will hold its 7th Party Congress. One thousand delegates from local and provincial levels will meet to discuss a number of issues. Surely the Obama visit and the future economic and political future of Cuba will be at the forefront. Is Dr. Castro’s view that of the majority, or will other voices be heard? We will soon have a pretty good idea.

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“Obama made a speech in which he uses the most sweetened words to express: “It is time, now, to forget the past, leave the past behind, let us look to the future together, a future of hope. And it won’t be easy, there will be challenges and we must give it time; but my stay here gives me more hope in what we can do together as friends, as family, as neighbors, together.”

 I suppose all of us were at risk of a heart attack upon hearing these words from the President of the United States. After a ruthless blockade that has lasted almost 60 years, and what about those who have died in the mercenary attacks on Cuban ships and ports, an airliner full of passengers blown up in midair, mercenary invasions, multiple acts of violence and coercion?

Nobody should be under the illusion that the people of this dignified and selfless country will renounce the glory, the rights, or the spiritual wealth they have gained with the development of education, science and culture.

 I also warn that we are capable of producing the food and material riches we need with the efforts and intelligence of our people. We do not need the empire to give us anything. Our efforts will be legal and peaceful, as this is our commitment to peace and fraternity among all human beings who live on this planet.”

 

Photo and Full Text of Castro Letter: Radio Cadena Agramonte