Dreams of a free Cuba

Dreams of a free Cuba
Opelousas woman says family waits for big changes in Cuba
By Yuwa Vosper
yvosper@dailyworld.com

A week ago today, Fidel Castro, president of Cuba, turned 80. That day
placed him as the world's longest-ruling head of government, outlasting
nine American presidents in his 47-year rule.

But Castro's long rule has not been a pleasant one to many
Cuban-Americans, Cuban exiles and those who've remained in Cuba. News of
Castro's current illness (he transferred power to his brother Raul
recently while recovering from surgery due to intestinal bleeding), has
many wondering if Castro's days are numbered - and if so, will this mean
eventual democracy in their homeland.

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Kristie Rodriguez of Opelousas has been thinking of these issues
everyday. Her father is Cuban-American, and half of her family still
lives in Cuba.
Rodriguez said this week that she, like many, don't necessarily wish
death on Castro.

"We just want what's best for the people," she said.

Her grandparents escaped Cuba in 1961 when rumors began circulating that
her grandfather was "against" Castro. In the stories her father told,
she recalled they only left with the clothes on their backs.

Since 1959, two years before Rodriguez's family fled, Castro has ruled
Cuba under what many call a Communist dictatorship. His laws are
considered barbaric to many Americans who've only known freedom.

Rodriguez said Castro only allows American tourists to visit the country
every other year. When her grandmother visits, she takes along with her
lipstick, toothpaste and all the essentials.

"(My grandmother) takes the things we all take for granted," Rodriguez
said. "She said the last time she visited and brought lipstick to a
friend, her husband started crying because he said his wife looked so
beautiful."

In a phone conversation with the rest of her family in New Orleans,
Kristie's uncle, Raul Rodriguez, told of the conditions of Cuba since
their last visit in 1998. That trip was there first time back since they
left in 1961.

Raul Rodriguez described it as a great time with family, but a shocking
realization on how the people live.

"They are struggling just to eat and get food. A lot of people aren't
working," he said. "My grandpa is 98 years old, and only gets four U.S.
dollars for retirement."

He described the living conditions, starting with the dilapidation of
the country's buildings and houses. Raul said there is no indoor
plumbing or bathroom doors on the country side of Cuba, a place where
the tourists rarely venture.

He said there is no air conditioning in houses or buildings, and these
buildings are falling apart. He added that the cars and houses have not
progressed past the 1950s models.

The most agonizing to him is the way the government treats its citizens,
he said. On a visit to a popular restaurant with his family in Cuba, the
host wouldn't allow his family in the restaurant.

"They told me I could come in because I was a tourist, but not my
family, so we just left," Raul said.

The strict rules aside, there are still those who say Castro has done
much good for Cuba. The popular online encyclopedia site, Wikipedia,
says Castro has fashioned an educational and health care system that
would be the envy of richer countries, despite the few resources. Castro
has lowered the illiteracy in the country, while increasing birth
expectancy to about the same as the United States.

But for Kristie Rodriguez and her family, the damage far outweighs the
good. She said Cuba oppresses its people by dictating everything.

"They stand in long lines to buy bread, and they even tell you how much
and what kind you can buy," she said. "I don't think (Castro) has done
anything, maybe for him and his people, but not anyone else."

Her uncle Raul said he feels exactly the same, saying Castro was the
destruction of Cuba.

He added, "To me, Cuba could have been the best country in South
America. What good has he done? No one can run against him, because he
eliminates them with 'accidents.'"

The question on their minds is this - if Castro would die, what would
happen to the country? He is the only leader the people have known for
years. With Raul Castro Ruz in power, many fear that he is just as bad
as Castro.

For Kristie Rodriguez, she feels it is the perfect time for the people
to overthrow the government. But, she still realizes the country would
be shaken because Castro is the only leader they have known.

"If he were to die and Raul was still to remain in power, the people
could have a chance to be free and have a better life," she said. "Maybe
our family could finally come and visit us in America without being
afraid to go back."

While recent images in the national media have shown Castro looking
healthy, Raul Rodriguez those were earlier pictures, and he is sicker
than everyone believes.

"I think they were pictures of him before he went into the hospital, and
he was wearing an American brand jogging suit," he said. "And he is so
anti-American."

Kristie Rodriguez's grandmother - who wished not to give her name -
thinks Raul Castro is the same as his brother. She said she firmly
believes it would be the same with no changes, adding that to her, they
are both criminals who destroyed the country.

Kristie Rodriguez a few times reflected on Elian Gonzalez, the little
Cuban refugee whose mother died fleeing Cuba in hopes of giving her son
a better life. She said she wants everyone to remember that there are
still many people like Gonzalez's mother and her grandparents who risk
their lives with the hope of a better life and freedom from dictatorship.

She said most importantly, she doesn't want anyone to forget the people
who still remain living oppressed under those conditions like her
great-grandparents.

"We never met, but we constantly communicate with pictures," she said.
"I am planning to visit within the next year so they can finally see me
face-to-face."

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