Fans and foes of Fidel Castro
Re Tyrant. Revolutionary. The life and legacy of the last great dictator,
Nov. 27 It’s not unexpected but still shocking to see such biased treatment of the death of Fidel Castro. In all your coverage the word “dictator” is used repeatedly as an epithet to assassinate him, knowing full well that the CIA attempted to do that on many occasions and in many ways.
Nowhere in your coverage is there even a passing reference to the 55-year ongoing devastating economic effects of the U.S. Blockade. Why was Cuba, a small island of only 11 million people today, a target of such U.S. aggression? Because Cuba would not take orders from Washington D.C. Ted Turner, Toronto I was surprised at your one-sided coverage of Castro’s legacy. You should also mention why Castro’s revolution was welcomed by many.
He replaced a dictator who ruled for years. Many people lacked adequate food, shelter, education and health care. Havana was the playground of corrupt mobsters, many from the U.S.
Castro’s government, in spite of its faults, changed all this. For example, education is free. Often, Cuban doctors have been among the first to help other countries in times of need.
You should also mention that for years many Canadians have been helping offset the embargo by bringing supplies to Cuba. Somehow, that country has withstood huge obstacles and survived. Cathy Brown, Toronto Thomas Walkom describes the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba as “a blatant and savage attempt at regime change.” Oh, please. It was enacted after the revolutionary government confiscated billions in American-owned assets, without compensation, and in violation of all recognized contract and financial law.
That Canadian companies and tourists flocked there is no surprise. No skin off their noses. The beaches are nice, the rum is good and hard Canadian currency is welcomed in a land of poverty. Randall Bell, Whitby Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s opting out of Fidel Castro’s funeral is not only “misguided and disappointing,” as Thomas Walkom puts it. It also reeks of cowardice in the face of U.S. presidentelect Donald Trump’s hardline stance against Cuba. Alan Pellettier, Scarborough I disagree with Paul Wells in his criticism of Trudeau for his recognition of the contributions Fidel Castro made as a leader.
I visited Cuba at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, when oil imports dropped 90 per cent and Cuba had to immediately adapt to a low-carbon economy.
During this period, Cuba imported one million bikes, stepped up organic and community agriculture and created green streets. Health improved as pollution decreased, and bikes gave Cubans greater freedom.
Cuba shows us what can be done to lead a simple and sustainable life while having high levels of health care and education, and providing housing for all.
To do this all while constantly being undermined from the outside, I found very impressive.
We would do well to learn from Cuba’s example. Lyn Adamson, Toronto By heaping praise on Fidel Castro, one of the most brutal dictators in recent memory, Prime Minister Trudeau has caused Canada severe embarrassment.
How on Earth could Trudeau think that Castro “improved the lives of Cubans” who to this day live mostly in poverty. How would Trudeau explain the more than one million who risked their lives on the high seas to escape Castro’s brutal regime to get to America?
Castro used firing squads with reckless abandon and incarcerated those who dared disagree with him. Thankfully Trudeau will not cause even more embarrassment by attending Castro’s funeral. Larry Comeau, Ottawa
“Cuba shows us what can be done to lead a simple and sustainable life while having high levels of health care and education, and providing housing for all.” LYN ADAMSON TORONTO
I’m sure the imprisoned Cuban-dissidents (including, no doubt, a journalist or two) are thinking that, indeed, “the world needs more Canada” after our PM’s obsequious tribute to Fidel. This is one Canadian who isn’t in mourning. Jeff Barker, Mississauga