Fidelismo

 

In spite of the poverty and oppression by police, there is general and widespread support and love for Fidel Castro. For all the Cubans from my generation (people in their 40s) and younger, all they have ever known is Fidel. One of the questions Antonio and I frequently asked people was what they thought would happen after Fidel. Most seemed to be in denial that it would even happen. Eugenio, the owner of our apartment said that he hoped Fidel lived to be 100, and was only 70 now. His brother Raul is not seen as a viable alternative. He apparently has the image of a ruthless henchman with no heart. We were also told about a younger politician (I forgot his name) who was charismatic and seemed like the likely successor until he somehow fell out of favor and is now never heard from.

 

We were told a story about a riot that happened along the Malecon in Havana after some people had escaped from inside the harbor. They said people were throwing rocks and bottles at the police, chanting anti-Castro slogans. Senay reported that Fidel Castro came out into the streets and stood between the rioters and police, asking everyone to unite as one people. She said that the people went from chanting anti-Castro slogans to pro-Castro ones in a matter of seconds. Antonio and I had to laugh at the image of Clinton showing up on the streets of South Central LA during the Rodney King uprising.

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